Azureath's feat became a sensation among the passengers. Previously, many of them were still wary around the newest addition to the crew, but after the daring and magnificent feat she did to save the ship, all of them started to respect and be comfortable around her. Azureath herself also found that the respect the crew and the passengers had on her was a welcome change.

While she already had all that with the Raptors, as represented by Keeshar, it felt different. Back on the island, she felt so distant with them. Hrashiran and his forefathers were the exceptions, but that was one of many. That, and her traumatic experience made her unable to start a meaningful friendship. She feared betrayal, knowing how hard it was living in a land full of similarly duplicitous dragons as much as the rest of them. The war and conflicting ideologies hardened many hearts, not just the humans or the beast races, but the dragons, too.

Yet, she could not feel those in the hopeful explorers onboard the Blackjack. She warned them, time and time again, that the continent was different from what they knew. Azureath, upon knowing the story of the continent they originated, was not surprised by a similarly manipulative and dark history. The one thing they would need to be wary of was magic, for their continent was driven by technology, not arcane.

Nevertheless, she really hoped they came to a hopeful land instead of one torn by war. Azureath wanted that too, if she did not want to regret her decision to help them get through the Ocean Between.

The storm they got through did not deter their drive to go forward, mostly because they knew the unknown land was closer than the Raptor Island by that point. Despite of Azureath's efforts in keeping the ship on top shape, the storm caused quite a considerable damage, both over and below deck. The near capsizing that Azureath hastily corrected already did its damage, especially to unbolted furniture that slid to one side of the ship. Some passengers and crew were injured after being crushed by the furniture, with Jamie getting reports from the ship's doctor of fractured bones and high fever. Reports of seasickness was also given, though Jamie believed it wasn't the most pressing of the matters.

The most pressing was the damage of the engine room. There wasn't any tears or any hull breach, but the storm battering the ship dislodged parts of the engine and also threw around hot coals when the lock of the boiler failed. It threatened to burn through all their coal supplies if it wasn't for Henrietta and her team to quickly douse the fire. As per Jamie's orders, the propellers grinded to a halt just as Azureath made the ship skate, knowing that they did not have the need of propellers if all they needed was a slide made of ice. Henrietta started repairs on the engine as soon as they got out of the storm into calmer water, which slowed the ship considerably and threatened to delay their journey for a couple of days or maybe weeks.

It had been three days since they left the Raptor island, and yet there was still no land in sight. Nothing eventful happened since the storm, which was something Jamie could live with. He was fortunate that the ship made it through relatively unscathed, though it was all Azureath's efforts. He started to wonder if they would join the other wooden ships at the bottom of the sea if it wasn't for the dragon and her insane quick thinking and very improvised use of her ice, but he quickly shook his head. He did not want to curse an already fortunate journey.

Still, he really owed the dragon a pint or two, maybe even the whole barrel, when they got to her land. As a captain and a sailor, he generally did not drink while on the job, and due to the excitement and the events that happened since they departed Angla, he never had a chance to relax. He did get to smoke, which did not impair his judgement or slowed his senses.

Days turned to weeks, and supplies started to dwindle. The Blackjack was forced to go around yet another storm, even after Azureath offered her assistance. Things started to look grim for the passengers, some of which had already lost hope. One started to become a nuisance to the point that the others were forced to lock him up in fear of his panic causing the situation to get worse.

Hans, unable to cope with the now-claustrophobic lower decks of the ship, decided that it would be best to ride on Azureath's back and help her find the land from air, while also getting away from the tense atmosphere on the ship. Azureath did not mind letting Hans rode her, especially when she could appreciate the werewolf's company. They talked about a lot of things, but the one that Hans was more interested in was the magic, and how Azureath could sense her home with it.

"It is easier to understand if you were born as a magical creature," explained Azureath. "It is this innate ability to sense mana in the air and manipulate it, hence the magic."

"Magical creature, eh? So, you already have this...mana...in you?"

"Every living being on Earth has mana reserves. If they don't, they are dead. Even a magical construct has a sliver of mana to move. In fact, the technology your ship uses run on it. It is in the air and is always part of a living being. A magical creature, however, can manipulate mana like natural. I, myself, already can manipulate the mana particles to produce ice since I was only a hatchling. I can safely say that my ice is on par with ice spells used by proficient mages."

"Your land does sound interesting, if it weren't for the suffering it caused you."

"Yes." Azureath sighed. "It is a shame."

"But do not worry, my friend. We made a promise to help you the best we can, so...hold on. Azureath, do you see that line over there?"

"Line?" Azureath looked towards where Hans pointed. Her better eyes saw something far more than just a line. Her mood quickly changed for the better.

"That is not a line, Hans," said Azureath cheerily. "That's a shore! And ships, too! Hans, that's it! That's Main!"

The news excited Hans so much that he could not help but let out a howl. It had been ten days since their departure from Raptor island and it was the best discovery they had for days. The werewolf and the dragon did not delay in reporting this finding to Jamie, who was similarly excited after days of travelling through rough seas with no lands in sight. He proceeded to share the news to everyone on the ship. They all behaved appropriately, even those who had started to lose hope.

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They sailed for a couple more hours, with Azureath and Hans staying close to the ship, when they met several fisher boats. The sight of an all-steel, steam-powered ship and a dragon seemed to make them gape in awe. Hans playfully waved at them as Azureath swooped down and flew close to the water, to which they could only wave back awkwardly.

It slowly became clear that they were approaching a major trading hub, for there were more and more boats and ships along with the shore starting to become clear for those on the Blackjack. It was a major trading hub of wooden ships, many, as Hans noticed, were not powered by wind. However, the most surprising thing of the harbor town was dragons. Lots of dragons. Even Azureath was surprised by them, especially when she and Hans encountered a black-scaled, wing-armed dragon with a dark-skinned human riding him. The dragon was properly equipped with a saddle, but not enough to be considered a full-on horse tack. The sight was astonishing for Hans, but for Azureath, at least at first, she wasn't as excited.

"Hey, there!" said the dark-skinned human while waving his hand. "Haven't seen you around town. You from down south?"

"South?" asked Hans, almost yelling.

"Couldn't be," said the black-scaled dragon. "That ship's clearly not southern in design. And the direction you came from...you're not from any of the regions, are you?"

"We came from a faraway land, further east from the Western Region shores," said Azureath. "And, black one. What is the meaning of that equipment?"

"Safety for the partner, of course. My scales are smooth like a snake. Terry will slide off as I take flight. I suggest you get one or that rider of yours will suffer on long flights."

Hans understood what the dragon meant. Azureath scales were not smooth, but it was uncomfortable to sit on, even with leather chaps that he had for horse riding. The ridges around her shoulder made a good leg rest, at least for werewolf paws.

Both dragons proceeded to land on the ship, with the passengers and crew in awe of seeing another dragon on the ship. Compared to Azureath, the other dragon was smaller in size and much slimmer, closer to a horse. Unlike Azureath, he landed and folded his wings more like a bird and less like a bat, as he stood on two legs. The dragon was what Azureath called a wyvern, a common sight around Main continent much like dragons were. However, she never knew of a wyvern rider before. Still, it had almost been a century since she returned. Things had changed, though she assumed it to be the worst due to the wyvern's apparent subjugation.

"I can't sense a magicite in it," said the dragon. "Terry, this ship runs on coals."

"And sweat," added Hans.

"You crossed the sea with only a coal-powered engine?" said Terry, the human. "And through all that storm? With this many people? All of you are either out of your mind or you want to prove something, but I'll stick to the latter."

"You aren't wrong assuming the former, either" said Jamie, who walked out of the bridge room. His burly, werewolf appearance did not surprise Terry as he shook his hands. "Jamie Hines," introduced the captain. "I am the captain of this ship, the Blackjack."

"Terrence Lancaster. Call me Terry," said Terry. "And my wyvern partner is Shrikel. It is...quite an honor to meet non-Main people, not to mention a wolfman. The great cat people of the deserts I understand. But wolf people, too? Hope you get along."

Jamie was surprised by the mention of cat people and could not help but laugh. He never thought there could be a parallel to werewolves in the form of werecats.

As Terry talked with Jamie on the procedures and navigation through the port, Shrikel was staring at Azureath as if examining her. The azure blue dragon noticed and, with a growl, said, "It is rude to stare, black one."

"Not if you have something rather interesting to tell, azure one. Those runes...you were branded by them, weren't you? The fact you are still yourself is a miracle, just as much as your role in helping these people get through the season of storms."

"I consider it a past I wish to forget. It is a painful reminder of my loss."

"I sympathize with you. I, too, lost my parents to the dreadful Dragonsbane, along with my siblings," said Shrikel with a sorrowful growl. "It has almost been 30 years since then, but the memory is still fresh."

"30 years ago?" said Azureath, surprised. "What happened to them? What happened to those you called Dragonsbane."

"Already been dealt with, along with those who manipulated them." As Shrikel started to piece together Azureath's age, he said, "I know you came from an age where you can trust dragons more than the smaller races but believe me when I said dragons can be as deceitful."

"I am not that naïve, young one. I, too, know the duplicity of dragons. I do, however, must admit that I came in an era where black-scaled dragons are...well, I do hope it is no longer the case. I lost count on how long I have been gone. I have lived through three, almost four, generations of Raptors, after all."

"I understand what you mean, azure one. But all that are in the past, now. The dragons of Pol Hain will want to know the existence of a dragon that resisted the Mark of the Fallen spell. I will try not to announce it so you can be at peace."

"No, I don't mind. You imply there are more dragons that fell victim to this spell. If there is any way I can help..."

"They'll appreciate it. Those dragons...are not as fortunate as you are. As Terry has told the wolfman, my name is Shrikel. What is yours? Your common name, I mean."

"Azureath."

"A good name that describes you well. If you need to know more of the story, I will invite you to join the dragons in Pol Hain. In any case, I wish to welcome you to the port. May this be this first of many good things to come."

"Yes. I wish it so, too."

Shrikel let out a smile just as Terry said the same things to the passengers and crew of Blackjack. The human then proceeded to climb onto the saddle on Shrikel's back, with the wyvern opening his wings.

"I will inform the port authority of your arrival," said Terry. "Tell us what you need while waiting."

"A place to dock and a warm reception is all that we need!" declared Jamie. "And meads. I need a bloody drink!"

Terry chuckled. "The Kingfishers Tavern is open for daring explorers from a faraway land! Meet you there!"

Shrikel then flew away, leaving the ship and its passengers behind. After a moment of silence processing what just happened, the vice-captain, Ashford, promptly hugged Jaime and said, "We did it, Jim! Bless me soul, we did it!"

The roar of applause and cheers of accomplishment erupted throughout the ship, drawing many ships of the vicinity to their celebration. Everyone, including the passengers and the crews, all hugged each other, with some even cried that they finally regained a hope they lost while at sea. The engineering team, upon hearing the good news, also came top deck and joined the celebration, with the passengers ignoring their grimy, soot-covered appearance. Even Adeline, who was usually reserved as part of her noble status, was as excited as the rest, almost to the point of tackling her two closest friends Ulster and Hans as she rushed to them. Both laughed and joined in the excitement of their incredible, once thought to be impossible, success.

It was a long, grueling journey with its own trials, but finally, after more than half a month since leaving the port of Angla, they finally found the new land. The ordeals, and the experience, were all recorded by the journals of the passengers and the crew members, ensuring that the first successful journey to the new lands would inspire the new generations in their own exciting adventures.

And many, especially Jamie and his crew, would love to see their efforts be acknowledged.