After leaving the City of Sumgon, Meryda and Craydon made the Drakes fly at a slower speed than usual so that the Karkadanns could catch them after dropping the surviving Adventurers.

It took them several days to cross the country of Oka, where they knew the Ooman Alliance was gathered near the mountain range.

Even at high altitude, the maximum the Karkadanns could fly without suffocating their passengers, Craydon noticed that down below, the Drakes’ silhouette in the clear sky caused a commotion every time they were flying over a City or a village and someone looked up.

That was why Craydon and Meryda had been riding the Karkadanns for a few days now, and the Drakes were flying higher so that they could become an imperceptible dot in the sky.

When the mountain range was on the horizon, Craydon started to look for a big City down below so that they could rest before going there and also gather intel about the situation on the front lines.

Strangely, every City or village on their flying path was not as big as the previous cities where they stayed to rest for the night during their voyage, making things seem too strange for the always-suspicious Craydon Crawler.

At least, until the middle of one afternoon, when he saw an enormous City that looked as if it were the capital, with lines of caravans and people on foot entering and more lines exiting and going to other roads, which would probably lead to other cities in that Demi country.

Craydon pointed up to where the Drakes were flying, and Meryda nodded, saying, “They know they can’t be seen, and they are going to land not too far. Unless you think they should land with us.”

“Probably better if they remain hidden. We need to check how things are around here before showing off the Drakes. I have no idea how the Oomans would react if we suddenly appeared with two enormous Drakes at our side. They might attack us and the Drakes and ask questions later.”

“I don’t think they can fight such Monsters, you know?”

“We can’t be sure. We don’t know what kind of weaponry the Alliance has. They could only have a battalion of Mages, but they could also have catapults to throw heavy rocks. Let’s approach carefully and land next to the entrance of that City down there. The guards might tell us to go to the end of the line, or they will give us passage, considering we have two Monsters with us.”

Meryda pointed down and said, “Three. You forgot my small Emptiness. He is still down there, under the shadow of my Karkadann.”

“Okay, let’s land. Let me do all the talking and only answer with your name to any questions they might have. When in doubt, say I will answer for you, because you don’t want to be tricked into agreeing with something suspicious.”

As they were going lower, the Karkadanns’ shadows on the ground called the attention of the gate guards, and they raised the alarm.

By the time a huge contingent of guards and Mages were at the gates, the small, dark fog was hovering in front of them, keeping them at some distance and giving plenty of space for the two Karkadanns to land next to him.

Before the dumbfounded eyes of the guards and Mages, and while everyone on foot or on the caravans that were waiting to enter the City took cover under the waggons, Craydon and Meryda taped the Karkadanns’ backs to make them crouch, so that he and his daughter could jump to the soil.

Meryda grabbed the Salamander, who jumped to her arms, while the Slime was comfortably wrapped around her neck.

Craydon raised one hand to the astonished guards and said, “Good afternoon. We wish to rest for the night before going to the front lines tomorrow.”

One Demi-Dog guard, who seemed to have a higher rank than the others because of the colour of his clothes and the dark red cape that adorned his shoulders, asked, “Why do you have those three Monsters with you and those strange horses? Are those Monsters as well?”

“My daughter is a Monster Tamer, and we are going to the front lines tomorrow. We have been flying for quite a few hours, and it would be better to rest in a comfortable bed tonight. The horses are Karkadanns, and they are wild animals. They eat grass and hay, but they don’t like people that much. If no one messes with them, they won’t cause any kind of problem.”

“What about that Emptiness? It is still small, but that kind of Monster is deadly to the touch!”

“One more reason for you to tell your men to lower their weapons and not make him nervous. He tends to be overprotective, but he often sleeps near the Karkadanns if there is a bucket of water for him.” Noticing that the guard was staring at the orange Salamander, Craydon explained, “The same goes for the Salamander and the Slime. If no one messes with my daughter, they will behave.”

The man frowned and asked, “She can’t control them, is that it? Monster Tamers always have control over their Monsters.”

“Her kind of training is different. They have more freedom than Monsters from other Monster Tamers, so they can act on their own. Like I said, don’t mess with her, and nothing will happen.”

“And if someone tries to attack her or moves too suddenly towards her?”

“Then you will need a fresh grave to bury the dumb bastard. If you still think we can’t enter, we will continue our voyage, and if someone in the Alliance asks why we arrived so tired and without knowing how things are around here, I will point them in your direction, and you will explain them.”

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The man made a forced smile while signalling for his men to lower their weapons and said, “There will be no need for that! We would be honoured to receive you and your daughter in our humble City!”

Looking at the tall wall and the enormous front gate, Craydon said, “This doesn’t look like a humble City to me! From the sky, it looked enormous. Is this an important City? A trading outpost, perhaps?”

“This is Oka’s Capital, the City of Rokumizu. It is our pride and joy. Too close to the mountain range for some people, but home to many. If you care to follow me, I will personally guide you to the stables where you can leave your horses and the Emptiness. Perhaps I could advise you to also leave there the Salamander and the Slime?”

“Only the Karkadanns and the Emptiness, if you don’t mind. The other two are still too young and are very attached to my daughter. It wouldn’t be wise to leave them in the stable because they would flee and search for her.”

The guard nodded and signalled for his men to open a path for him and his guests. Craydon and Meryda walked right after him, with the Karkadanns behind and the small, dark fog closing the line.

As they were walking along the main street, gathering a few curious looks and whispers from the people, the man introduced himself in between the descriptions of the marvels of his City. “I am Captain Ermo Sepp, and I am responsible for the security of this fine City. Usually, I am not near the entrance gate, but today I was checking the soldier’s barracks, and I came when I heard the alarm.”

“Where are you usually, then?”

Captain Ermo Sepp pointed at the front of an enormous castle and explained, “I am always in my King’s Castle. Together with the Captain of the Royal Guards, we enforce the law not only in this City but also in our entire country, Oka. Considering the circumstances, I would like for you and your daughter to go with me to the Castle and meet the King. I am sure he would want to talk to you and her. I would also be more relaxed if your strange horses and the Emptiness stayed in the Castle’s stable because we have a few Mages nearer than if they stayed in the City. Just in case, of course.”

Noticing that the Captain was trying to sound casual, despite what he implied in those words, Craydon said, “Perhaps I should warn you that my daughter has other Monsters nearby, and you wouldn’t like to make them angry. She told them to hide away from the City so that they wouldn’t cause panic, but in case of need, the Emptiness could quickly go to them and bring them here to save us. Just in case, of course.”

“What… What kind of Monster are you talking about?”

“The flying, deadly kind. A type of Monster you wouldn’t like to meet. But then again, there won’t be any need for that, will it?”

The Captain nodded and explained, “Perhaps I didn’t express myself properly. You said your daughter uses a different training method with her Monsters, but she is also very young. I find it hard to believe she is a Monster Tamer with her age or that she can control the Monsters she brought. Unless you were lying, and you are, in fact, the true Monster Tamer. I see she is carrying a Mage’s staff while you have a strange-shaped bow on your back. Are you also her escort, besides Monster Tamer, and she is, in fact, a Mage? An Earth Mage, considering the colour of the crystal on the staff.”

“I didn’t want to explain so much, but it seems I have to, considering where you want to take us, and you seem to want to know if it is safe. She is a Monster Tamer and an Earth Mage. I am merely her father and escort. My weapon is a crossbow, and I am very good with it. It works like a bow, but it is way easier to use. Not only because you don’t have to use so much force on the string, but also because it can shoot other things besides arrows.”

“Interesting. Do you mind if I take a look?”

Craydon gave a slight smile and said, “Actually, I do. Unless you sign a contract with me so that I can earn money every time you make one like this. I can’t have people using my idea for free, you know?”

“Is it your original idea? You didn’t buy that strange weapon?”

“I made the drawing, asked a carpenter and a blacksmith to make the parts, put the pieces together, and fine-tuned everything. I even created the darts and the marbles it can shoot.”

Captain Ermo Sepp nodded and said, “Perhaps you can show that to the King, and maybe he will be willing to sign a contract. I can’t take that responsibility, of course.”

From the corner of his eye, Craydon saw that a few Ooman soldiers were coming from side streets, and while some were following them, others were walking on both sides of the main street, glancing at him occasionally.

In a low tone, Craydon asked, “Captain Ermo, why are there so many Ooman soldiers in this City and why do they seem to be following us?”

After a glance around, the Demi-Dog Captain said, “Let’s just say things are kind of different in Oka, ever since the Ooman Alliance arrived at the mountain range. Over the years, their interference in our country’s affairs increased, and our once-mighty King lost more than we all expected. But it is not up to me to explain these things. I can only say that you should be on your guard around Oomans in this City, and especially in the castle. The Alliance needs the support of the Demis’ countries, so they can’t do things out in the open, but they can use all sorts of subterfuges in the shadows.”

In a whisper, and while pretending to be fixing a curl on his daughter’s hair, Craydon asked, “Where is that Fae when we need it?”

“Should I try to call them?”

From their left, a green form grew from the floor, and the smiling Fae said, “We are here at your service, Party Leader!”

The Captain jolted, surprised by the sudden voice, and he frowned when he saw who was now next to him. “A Fae? Why are you here?”

“Because my Party Leader was looking for us, of course. So, Meryda’s father, what were you thinking?”

“I have a name, you weird plant…” Craydon snorted. “But we might need your help because there are too many Oomans around for my taste, and I am not sure if we will be well received because things seem to be too weird in this Demi country.”

While walking next to them, the Fae said, “Indeed. Oka was once a proud Demi country, but over the years, the King became more like a puppet than a real King. The Ooman representatives are calling all the shots, something that they tried to do in other Demi countries, but because they don’t have such an enormous army near, like in this country, they never could. They might try to sugar-talk you and Meryda, or even threaten or arrest you to make her comply, but then again, that is why we are here. We said we were going to protect Meryda, and that is what we are going to do.” Seeing that Craydon was frowning, the green being quickly added, “And you as well, of course! If the Oomans try anything against you to force Meryda to do their bidding, we will protect you as well. And we will do that because we want to, not because you might hurt us!”

“Okay, I am glad you are on our side, then. Strange is that sometimes you immediately know what to say and do, and others, I have to shove everything down your throat.”