The carriages slowed to a halt, wheels creaking softly as they reached the gates of Moonglade. The once-steady beat of hooves and the muted rattle of wood gave way to a deep, expectant silence. Aelion stepped down, his boots meeting the forest floor with a grounding weight, and took in a deep breath of Moonglade’s cool, fragrant air. The scent was unfamiliar yet soothing—a blend of moss, rain, and blooming flowers, carrying an underlying hint of something magical.

The city gates rose high above them, framed by the natural architecture of Moonglade’s forested surroundings. The silvery wood gleamed under the sun, each arch of the gate etched with detailed carvings that depicted lunar phases, vines, and animals in mid-movement. Around the gate, massive trees stood watch, their trunks twisting upward in silent reverence. Aelion felt awe settle over him, struck by how nature itself seemed woven into Moonglade’s essence.

“Welcome to Moonglade,” murmured Caidren, his voice carrying a note of pride. Unlike the others, Caidren’s expression showed only familiarity, the calm assurance of someone who had walked these paths countless times. Aelion noted the confidence in his stride and the glint of comfort in his eyes. For Caidren, Moonglade was home.

Selara, however, appeared captivated. Her gaze wandered over every detail, from the tree-woven arches to the faint blue lights drifting gently around the gate’s carved vines. She moved slowly, her eyes filled with wonder, as though she feared she’d miss some secret hidden within the patterns of the wood.

“This place… it’s like stepping into a story,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Aelion nodded in silent agreement. The city felt as if it breathed alongside them, each leaf and shadow a reminder that Moonglade was not just a city, but a sanctuary for the elves who had made it their home. He felt a calm that contrasted starkly with the tension that had gripped him since they’d left Aethercrest.

Standing guard by the gate were two elven knights, each clad in polished silver armor that gleamed faintly, as if imbued with its own inner light. Symbols of the moon and stars adorned their pauldrons, the silver engraved with meticulous precision. Their faces were set in serene focus as they watched the warriors who had escorted the recruits from Aethercrest, their sharp gazes assessing yet respectful.

“These recruits come under urgent orders,” said one of the Aethercrest warriors, his voice low but firm. He gestured to Aelion and the others. “They carry news that requires an audience with Lyra Moonshadow, the leader of Moonglade’s Archery Guild.”

The knights exchanged a glance, their expressions growing serious. One signaled to a young elf nearby, a slender figure dressed in deep green robes embroidered with silvery vines, marking him as an official. The elf nodded and stepped forward, bowing slightly as he gestured for the recruits to follow.

“This way, please,” he said, his voice soft but clear. “Lady Lyra will be notified and shall await you in the Archery Guild. It lies on the southern edge of the city.”

The recruits fell into step behind him, following as he led them deeper into Moonglade. The city unfurled around them like a tapestry, its streets bordered by flourishing gardens and tall trees whose branches intertwined to form a natural canopy. The buildings, constructed from polished silverwood and accented with stones that glowed faintly in the morning light, seemed to blend seamlessly into the landscape, as if Moonglade had grown organically from the forest rather than being built within it.

Aelion watched in awe as they passed courtyards filled with colorful blossoms and open squares where the soft hum of conversation and laughter mingled with the music of small fountains. Moonglade’s residents moved with a serene grace, their faces calm and thoughtful as they went about their day. Dressed in robes and tunics of green, silver, and deep blue, many wore delicate lunar symbols on pendants or clasps, small signs of their city’s reverence for nature and the night sky.

They crossed over wooden bridges suspended above clear, blue streams, each bridge crafted from living branches woven together to form sturdy walkways. Lanterns hung from the trees above, casting a gentle, silvery glow that lent a dreamlike quality to the scene. The gentle babble of the water and the soft crunch of their footsteps on the moss-lined paths made Aelion feel as if he were walking through a sanctuary.

The deeper they ventured, the quieter the city grew. It was as if Moonglade’s heart lay in its southern edge, a place where silence reigned and nature held sway over all things. Caidren moved with certainty, his familiarity with every turn and landmark evident in the ease of his steps. His face bore a look of quiet pride, and he cast an occasional glance back at the others, as if taking in their reactions to the city he called home.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Caidren murmured, catching Aelion’s eye as they crossed a grove lit by shafts of sunlight. “Moonglade has always been a place of refuge, somewhere for those who seek peace and wisdom.”

Selara, who walked beside them, nodded in agreement, her face filled with reverence. “It feels… alive. As though the city itself were watching over us.”

Caidren smiled faintly. “In a way, it is. Here, we don’t build at the expense of nature—we live alongside it and the arcane life within it.”

Aelion felt a pang of envy at Caidren’s familiarity with such a place. Moonglade’s elegance and harmony were in stark contrast to Aethercrest’s strength and structure. It was a city that thrived not on fortification, but on natural unity with its surroundings. He felt a kinship with Moonglade’s purpose, a reminder of what they fought to protect beyond the walls of their own cities.

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The streets grew wider and more spacious as they approached the city’s southern edge, the buildings becoming sparser as forested groves and moonlit clearings replaced the city’s bustling heart. Finally, nestled within a grove of elder oaks, the Archery Guild of Moonglade came into view.

The Archery Guild was a vision of quiet majesty, its structure seamlessly woven into the grove around it. Unlike the stone and timber fortress of Aethercrest’s guild, Moonglade’s guild seemed to grow organically from the forest itself. The walls were formed by intertwining branches and roots, shaped by nature and magic to create a sanctuary that blended into the trees. At the entrance, an enormous silverwood bow was mounted above the archway, polished to a mirror-like sheen that caught the gentle light filtering through the trees.

Aelion marveled at the design, his breath catching as he took in the carvings that adorned the bow. Scenes of hunters, animals, and constellations were etched into its surface, each detail precise and reverent, a homage to the elven connection to nature. The moons depicted in various phases glowed faintly, symbolizing the passing of time and the cycles of life.

The other recruits, too, seemed taken by the beauty of the guild, though Caidren’s expression remained calm and familiar. He moved with a steady stride, his gaze sweeping over the entrance as he took in the guild he had known since his childhood.

“It’s nothing like Aethercrest,” murmured Selara, her voice filled with quiet awe. “It feels… different. As if the guild itself were alive.”

Aelion nodded, his heart stirred by the serenity that surrounded them. The guild felt sacred, a place where archers trained not only their skill but their connection to the world around them. Unlike Aethercrest’s fortified guild, which emphasized strength and resilience, Moonglade’s guild was a sanctuary, a place of contemplation and respect for nature.

Illirya, who had been silent through most of the journey, moved to a fountain at the edge of the hall, her face softening as she took a seat near the crystal-clear water. The fountain was carved from a single block of moonstone, its water flowing softly, casting shimmering light over the mossy floor.

Renar, however, appeared uncomfortable. His gaze was fixed on the floor, his expression unreadable. It was clear that the serenity of Moonglade’s guild did little to calm his ever-tense demeanor.

As they waited in the hall, a young elven apprentice approached and nodded respectfully. “Lady Lyra has been informed of your arrival and will meet with you shortly. Until then, you are welcome to rest here.”

The recruits nodded, and as the apprentice left, they took a moment to settle into the peaceful surroundings. Aelion felt a sense of calm wash over him, the soft hum of life in the guild offering a brief reprieve from the tension of their journey.

Aelion has felt the need to ask since him and the others met, he felt now was the perfect opportunity. “Hey so if every city has their own guilds, why did you come to Aethercrest?”

“The guild here was at maximum capacity and Aethercrest is the most trustful city, at least to the people that live here. It’s nothing against Caelumreach or Glacier Peak, but from my understanding, our cities have similar political opinions and have always assisted each other when needed.” As Caidren finished speaking, he looked at Selara to ensure he didn’t offend her in any way.

“None taken here,” she chuckled, “though my family is from Caelumreach, my family moved to Aethercrest a little over a year ago due to better career opportunities for my parents. I joined the Aethercrest Archery Guild because I wanted to explore and not be tied down to working everyday at the same place at the same times.”

As they waited, Aelion noticed that Caidren seemed particularly at ease, his posture relaxed as he observed his surroundings with quiet pride. Aelion could tell that being back home was probably a great feeling for Caidren, even if he had only been gone for a couple months at most. He too has already begun to miss his home with his parents at his side.

“It must be reassuring,” Aelion said, turning to Caidren. “Coming back to a place like this.”

Caidren gave a small nod, his face thoughtful. “It is. Moonglade has always been a place of love, plus the food here is great too.”

Selara, listening nearby, smiled softly. “You’re lucky, Caidren. Your home is unlike any place I’ve ever known. No offense to Aethercrest but it is slightly similar to Caelumreach. Hopefully you both can see it with me one day and then you’ll know what I’m talking about.”

Caidren’s expression softened, though his gaze held a note of caution. “Moonglade’s beauty can be deceiving. Beneath the calm, we still have our battles to fight. Just as you have in Aethercrest.”

Aelion fell silent, feeling the weight of their journey settle over him. Though Moonglade was a city of peace and unity, the threat they faced was universal. The serene beauty of the city was no shield against the darkness looming on the horizon, a reminder that they all bore the same responsibility to protect their homes and their people.

As the conversation dwindled into silence, Aelion found himself drawn to the faint sounds of the guild—the soft trickle of water from the fountain, the gentle rustling of leaves, the occasional whisper of wind through the open hall. It felt like the city itself was breathing, a rhythmic pulse that mirrored his own heartbeat. For a moment, he closed his eyes, allowing the calm to settle over him.

“I never thought I would be capable of taking a life when I was a child, but here I am now. We protected the city at all costs, losing a piece of ourselves to mold the soul of our society. I hate to say I am saddened at destroying such evil, but there was no way and will always be no way that I will stand by as evil vile people of any race come into our homes and kill us. I refuse.”

The minutes passed in quiet contemplation, each of them lost in their own thoughts. Aelion could feel a renewed strength building within him, a silent promise that he would do everything in his power to defend what he held dear. He felt a kinship with the guild, a place that, despite its peace, was ready to stand against any threat that dared to disturb it.

A soft sound broke the stillness, footsteps echoing gently as someone approached. Aelion’s pulse quickened, and he straightened, glancing toward the entrance. He knew that Lyra Moonshadow was near, and the weight of their journey felt heavier, sharpened by the urgency of the mission they carried.

The recruits exchanged a glance, their expressions serious as they prepared to meet the leader who would decide the course of their next steps. This was the moment they had been building toward, the reason they had made the long journey south.

Together, they took a collective breath, their resolve hardening as they awaited their audience with Lady Lyra Moonshadow.