The final stretch of the journey across the human lands had taken on an almost surreal quality. The vast, untamed wilderness had given way to rolling farmland, the fields dotted with simple homesteads and the occasional cluster of buildings that marked small villages. At first, Jannet—and now Magnus—had noticed only the odd traveler here and there, merchants guiding their laden wagons along dirt paths or farmers driving cattle to pasture. But as the days passed and the great city of Daunturia loomed ever closer on the horizon, the trickle of humanity grew into a steady stream.

The presence of so many humans was both a comfort and a source of unease. Jannet had grown used to the company of his party and the solitude of the wilderness. Now, the hum of human life surrounded them: the chatter of passing traders, the clatter of cartwheels, the rhythmic pounding of hooves on packed earth. Yet beneath the surface of this bustling activity, Jannet sensed an undercurrent of tension. Eyes turned toward him and his companions with a mixture of fear and awe. Mothers pulled children closer, merchants hurried their beasts of burden along, and the rare brave soul paused, frozen in place, as though unwilling to believe what they were seeing.

Jannet could hardly blame them. His form was striking—obsidian scales etched with shimmering gold tattoos that seemed to pulse faintly in the sunlight. His sheer size alone was enough to unsettle the most seasoned traveler, but combined with his adornments—a silver adventurer's plate and jewelry crafted by gemstone gnomes—he was an undeniable spectacle. Fialla had explained the significance of the jewelry during one of their quieter nights: gemstone gnomes were legendary even among the most learned magical scholars of human lands. Their enchantments were bespoke and imbued with an artistry that defied replication, their functionality often surpassing the most advanced arcane works known to the kingdoms. That Jannet bore such treasures, and wore them casually, was enough to spark awe—and envy—in those who understood their worth.

But it wasn’t just the sight of him that drew attention. The land itself seemed to be in the grip of a harsh lean year. The destruction wrought by the ancient crocodile’s rampage had sent ripples far beyond its point of origin, devastating trade routes, displacing communities, and upending the careful balance of human society. Even here, far from the epicenter, the signs were clear. The people Jannet encountered wore gaunt expressions and ill-fitting clothing, their eyes hollow with hunger and worry. The fields they passed were patchy, many of them abandoned, and the villages seemed subdued, as though the energy had been drained from their very foundations.

Jannet and now Magnus couldn't help but draw comparisons to his past life. As Jannet, the housewife bound to the routine monotony of human existence, he had walked similar streets in suburban neighborhoods, felt the quiet desperation that clung to communities on the brink of collapse. The resemblance was uncanny, yet warped by the backdrop of this new world. The humans here seemed harder, their gazes sharper and more calculating, and yet their fear of him was unmistakable. That, at least, was new.

By the time the towering spires of Daunturia appeared on the horizon, the atmosphere among the party had lightened considerably. The sight of the city was like a balm to their weary spirits, a promise of rest and respite after countless nights spent under the open sky. The sprawling capital was a marvel of stone and steel, its walls gleaming faintly in the midday sun and its towers reaching high above the landscape.

“This is it,” Gerrin said, his voice tinged with relief as he shaded his eyes to take in the view. “Daunturia. Finally.”

The group joined the main road leading into the city gates, merging into the flow of traffic that included traders, travelers, and farmers bringing their goods to market. Jannet walked at the rear, his massive form looming over the wagons and beasts of burden. His presence caused no small amount of chaos among the pack animals; horses reared, oxen bellowed, and even the most stoic mules shied nervously as he passed. The resulting commotion drew the attention of the guards stationed near the city gates.

The guards approached swiftly, riding large, feathered raptors with sleek, muscular builds and taloned feet that clicked sharply against the cobblestones. Jannet recognized them instantly—descendants, perhaps, of the jungle raptors he had hunted in Newscar’s early days. These beasts were clearly bred for their role as mounts, their plumage well-groomed and their harnesses adorned with polished metal fittings. The guards themselves were clad in gleaming armor, their visors down and their hands resting on the hilts of their weapons as they closed in.

“Hold there!” one of the guards called, his voice sharp and authoritative. The party halted, their expressions wary as the raptors circled them with practiced precision. The lead guard, a man with a commanding presence, pointed directly at Jannet. “What is the meaning of this? Who is responsible for this... creature?”

Toren bristled at the guard’s tone but held his tongue as Gerrin stepped forward. “We’re adventurers,” Gerrin said, his voice steady but firm. He gestured toward Jannet with a sweep of his hand. “And this is Magnus, our companion.”

The guard’s eyes narrowed behind his visor. “Companion? That’s a stretch. There are protocols for handling battle beasts, and this thing is clearly beyond your control. You’ve caused a disturbance among the citizens and their animals.”

Jannet felt a surge of irritation at being referred to as a “thing.” His golden eyes narrowed, and his nostrils flared slightly in a display of controlled menace. Before Gerrin could respond, Magnus stepped forward, his massive frame towering over the raptors and their riders. The guards instinctively tightened their grips on their reins, their mounts shifting uneasily beneath them.

“I am no mere beast,” Jannet said, his voice deep and resonant, carrying the weight of authority. The guards stiffened, their surprise evident even through their helmets. “I am Magnus, the 7th Pillar and Sovereign of Newscar, a nation to the southeast in the jungle lands.”

The words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. The guards exchanged uncertain glances, their confidence shaken by the calm yet commanding tone of Magnus’s declaration. The lead guard opened his mouth to respond, but no words came. Jannet stood firm, his golden eyes gleaming with an intensity that brooked no challenge.

Behind him, the party remained silent, their expressions a mix of pride and apprehension as they watched the scene unfold. The crowd that had gathered near the gates whispered among themselves, their curiosity and fear evident in the way they kept their distance while craning their necks to get a better view.

The lead guard finally found his voice, though it was tinged with uncertainty. “Magnus... the 7th Pillar?” he repeated, as though testing the weight of the name. “What business does a Sovereign of the jungle lands have in Daunturia?”

Jannet tilted his head slightly, his golden eyes never leaving the guard. “My business is my own,” he said evenly. “But rest assured, it is not your place to question it. Inform your superiors if you must, but do not presume to detain me or my companions.”

The guard’s grip tightened on his reins, but he made no move to draw his weapon. The authority in Jannet’s voice—and the weight of his title—left no room for argument. After a tense moment, the guard nodded curtly, signaling for his men to lower their weapons.

“Very well,” the lead guard said, his tone grudging but respectful. “You may pass. But understand this: Daunturia is a city of order. Cause no trouble, or you’ll answer for it.”

Jannet inclined his head, his frill relaxing slightly as he stepped back to rejoin the group. The guards parted to let them through, their raptors shifting nervously as Jannet passed. The crowd whispered more fervently now, their curiosity piqued by the Sovereign’s presence.

As they entered the city gates, the party let out a collective breath, the tension of the encounter finally easing. Jannet remained silent, his golden eyes scanning the bustling streets of Daunturia with quiet determination. The city awaited, its secrets and challenges yet to be revealed.

----------------------------------------

The gate guards stood just inside the massive iron-bound doors of Daunturia's main gate, leaning lazily on their pikes. One of them, a wiry man with a slightly crooked nose, adjusted his helmet and sighed.

"Well," he muttered, scratching at the stubble on his chin, "that was... somethin'."

His partner, a broad-shouldered man with a perpetually sleepy expression, nodded in agreement. "Yeah. Never seen anything like it. What else could we do? Big lizard comes up, all shiny and scarred up, with that gold and silver gleaming—wasn’t exactly subtle, was he?"

"Subtle?" Crooked Nose snorted. "Mate, subtle was out the window the moment he showed up casting a shadow half the size of the bloody gate. But we had to let him through, didn’t we? Couldn’t stop him even if we wanted to."

"Not without a ballista," Sleepy Eyes added, nodding sagely.

They both chuckled, sharing an unspoken agreement that the idea of tangling with a creature like that was best left to people higher up the chain of command—or with a death wish.

"Still," Sleepy Eyes mused, "he did talk. I mean, didn’t see that coming."

If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

"And polite, too," Crooked Nose said, his tone slightly incredulous. "Called himself Magnus. Magnus the 7th Pillar or somethin’. Sounds like a right big deal."

"Yeah, he was polite," Sleepy Eyes agreed. "You don’t see that often, do ya? Big ol’ Sovereign monster rolls up, bows his head, and speaks all proper-like. Almost makes you wanna trust him."

The two guards exchanged a look, then shrugged in unison, as if silently concluding that politeness in a giant lizard was reason enough to open the gates.

Their casual conversation came to an abrupt halt as the sharp clatter of boots on stone echoed through the gatehouse. Both men straightened instinctively, their lazy postures snapping into something vaguely resembling attention as Captain Leo Rhinestock stormed in, his white cloak trailing behind him like a banner of righteous fury. His expression was thunderous.

"You two!" Rhinestock barked, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. "Do you mind explaining to me why, exactly, there is an unregistered Sovereign creature the size of a war wagon strolling into my city?!"

The guards froze, exchanging a brief, panicked glance before Crooked Nose cleared his throat nervously. "Uh, well, sir, y’see, he... uh... he talked?"

"Talked?!" Rhinestock’s eyes widened, his disbelief palpable. "Talked?! That’s your excuse? You’re telling me a giant lizard talked and you just waved him through?"

"Well... yes, sir," Sleepy Eyes said, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. "He was... uh... very polite, sir. Said he was Magnus, the 7th Pillar. Sovereign of somethin’-or-other. Real proper-like, too. Not the kind of creature you’d expect to cause trouble."

For a moment, Rhinestock was too stunned to respond, his mouth opening and closing as he struggled to process what he was hearing. Finally, he pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled sharply. "So let me get this straight. A giant lizard walks up to the gate, introduces himself like he’s attending a royal banquet, and you two just... let him in?"

The guards exchanged another glance, then shrugged helplessly. "Seemed like the right thing to do at the time," Crooked Nose muttered.

"Yeah," Sleepy Eyes added. "He had this... presence, y’know? Like, he didn’t seem the sort to start trouble. Real dignified, if you ask me."

Rhinestock stared at them, his expression a mixture of incredulity and barely-contained fury. He opened his mouth, then closed it again, as if realizing that no amount of shouting would undo what had already been done.

Finally, he threw up his hands in exasperation. "Unbelievable," he muttered. "Absolutely unbelievable. You had one job—one—and this is what I come back to?"

"To be fair," Crooked Nose said hesitantly, "even if we’d tried to stop him, not much we could’ve done, sir. He’s massive."

"And polite," Sleepy Eyes chimed in again, as though that point was particularly important.

Rhinestock stared at them for a long, silent moment before shaking his head and turning on his heel. "Idiots," he muttered under his breath as he stalked away, his cloak snapping behind him. "Absolute idiots."

The two guards watched him go, then glanced at each other again.

"Well," Crooked Nose said after a moment, "guess we’re not gettin’ commendations for this one."

"Could’ve been worse," Sleepy Eyes replied, leaning back against the gatehouse wall. "He could’ve been rude."

They shared a quiet chuckle, their camaraderie undeterred by Rhinestock’s wrath.

----------------------------------------

The towering gates of Daunturia, majestic and carved with the intricate symbols of the kingdom's history, were only the prelude to the chaos that followed. Jannet—though now Magnus to the humans—kept his gaze steady, his golden eyes scanning the labyrinthine streets that stretched before them. This city was a hive of activity, bustling with merchants hawking their wares, children darting through narrow alleys, and guards patrolling with practiced ease. Yet his presence, a living monument of obsidian and gold, warped the rhythm of the city’s day-to-day life.

It was clear from the outset that news of his arrival traveled faster than the group’s pace. At first, it was little more than a ripple—a few curious stares from shopkeepers, a farmer dropping his bundle of hay in stunned silence, a child pointing wide-eyed before being swiftly pulled away by a nervous parent. But as the party moved deeper into the heart of Daunturia, the ripple swelled into a wave. More and more people began to gather, cautiously keeping their distance but following the group’s progress with rapt attention. Some whispered in hushed tones, while others simply stared, their faces a mixture of awe and unease.

Jannet maintained his stoic demeanor, his massive form cutting an imposing figure as he strode beside his human companions. Yet inwardly, he was beginning to question their decision to enter the city so openly. Walking the streets of Daunturia with an obsidian-scaled Sovereign at their side was proving to be a spectacle that ground the usual flow of traffic to a crawl. Carts backed up along the main thoroughfare, beasts of burden snorted and stomped nervously, and merchants shouted in frustration at the bottleneck forming around the party.

“We should’ve taken the back streets,” Toren muttered, his sharp eyes darting around as the crowd thickened. “This is getting out of hand.”

“Too late for that,” Gerrin grumbled, one hand resting on the hilt of his greatsword. “Just keep moving. The sooner we get where we’re going, the sooner this circus ends.”

Jannet could feel the tension radiating from his companions, their unease palpable as the attention of the crowd grew more focused. He kept his head high, his spine flat, his steps deliberate. Though he felt the weight of countless eyes on him, he refused to let it show. He was Sovereign of Newscar, and he would not falter.

The first sign of trouble came in the form of a sharp whistle, piercing through the din of the crowd. The noise was followed by the rhythmic clatter of hooves on stone and the fluttering of white cloaks in the wind. A column of mounted guards emerged from a side street, their polished armor gleaming in the midday sun. The leader, a tall man with a commanding presence, rode at the front, his white cloak billowing behind him as he guided his raptor mount with practiced ease.

“Royal guards,” Leth whispered, her voice barely audible over the murmur of the crowd. There was a note of fear in her tone, and she leaned closer to Jannet’s massive flank. “I’ve been to the capital before. These men don’t take kindly to disruptions.”

Jannet—Jannet still, in his own mind—tilted his head slightly, his sharp gaze fixed on the approaching guards. His companions tensed, their hands drifting toward their weapons as the column came to a halt, forming a loose semicircle around the group. The crowd fell silent, the tension in the air thick enough to taste.

The lead guard dismounted with fluid grace, his movements precise and deliberate. He removed his helmet, revealing a sharp-featured face framed by close-cropped blonde hair. His piercing blue eyes swept over the group, lingering on Jannet with an intensity that spoke of both caution and curiosity.

“I am Leo Rhinestock,” the man announced, his voice carrying the authority of his station. “Captain of the city guard. You are disrupting the peace.”

Gerrin bristled immediately, stepping forward with a scowl. “We’re doing no such thing,” he said, his tone defensive. “We’re just passing through.”

Captain Rhinestock’s gaze shifted to Gerrin, his expression unreadable. “You are traveling with a beast,” he said, his voice cold. “A creature of this size and nature must be subdued and contained. You have caused panic among the citizens and disrupted commerce. If you do not take appropriate precautions, you will be taken into custody and processed for the crimes you are committing. Now subdue this beast!” a command to the adventures and his fellow guards one and the same.

Torren bristled immediately, his dagger already half-drawn. “Crimes? What crimes? We haven’t done anything wrong!”

Gerrin stepped forward, his greatsword resting on his shoulder. “Watch your tongue, guard. This ‘beast’ has a name.”

Jannet held up a massive claw to silence them. The crowd murmured in hushed tones, clearly anticipating some kind of confrontation. Instead, Jannet lowered his head slightly, his golden eyes locking onto the captain’s with steady intensity.

With a measured tone, Jannet said, “I am no mere beast, Captain Rhinestock. I am Magnus, the 7th Pillar and Sovereign of Newscar, a nation to the southeast in the jungle lands.” He straightened, his massive frame seeming to grow even larger. “It is fortunate that the royal guard has arrived, for I seek an audience with your king.”

The reaction was immediate. Gasps rippled through the crowd, and even the guards seemed taken aback by his words. The captain’s composure remained unbroken, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of surprise. He regarded Jannet with a calculating expression, clearly weighing his next words carefully.

“I see,” Rhinestock said finally, his voice carefully measured. “A Sovereign, you say? And a nation in the jungle lands. Unusual claims.”

“They are true,” Jannet replied evenly. “And I will prove them, should your king grant me the opportunity.”

“That is a bold request, Sovereign,” Rhinestock said after a moment. “Such matters are not handled lightly. You must understand that your presence here is… unusual. Protocol must be followed. I cannot promise you an audience, but I will see to it that your request is considered.”

Jannet inclined his head, his tail lowering slightly in acknowledgment. “I understand the need for protocol, Captain. However, I trust that my status and intentions will be given due consideration.”

The captain’s lips thinned as he studied Jannet. “Perhaps,” he said. “But even so, such a beast must be controlled. Your size and appearance alone are enough to incite panic among the citizens. Measures will need to be taken to ensure the safety of the city.”

Before Jannet could respond, Leth suddenly stepped forward, her voice trembling but resolute. “Magnus is protected under the Adventurer’s Guild Charter,” she said. “He is registered as part of our party and therefore falls under the jurisdiction of guild law, not city ordinances.”

The group turned to stare at her, their expressions ranging from shock to disbelief. Even Jannet found himself blinking at her words, caught off guard by the unexpected declaration. The crowd murmured louder, their curiosity only heightened by this new revelation.

Captain Rhinestock’s gaze sharpened, his eyes narrowing as he regarded Leth. “The Adventurer’s Guild, you say?” he asked, his tone carefully neutral. “Interesting.”

“Yes,” Leth said quickly, her cheeks flushing as she avoided Jannet’s gaze. “The Sovereign—Magnus—is an adventurer. The guild recognizes him as a member, and he has a ranking plate to prove it.” she repeated with more confidence than last time.

He glanced back at Jannet, his expression unreadable. “This changes things. Slightly.”