Jamie had never been particularly drawn to music or instruments. As a child, his parents forced him to learn a bit of classical piano, but those memories and skills faded long ago. Yet now, he felt a stirring within—a latent talent was awakened by his new class as a bard.

Atop a stubborn mule, Jamie and Jay traveled at the very end of the bishop's entourage. It was clear the others preferred to keep their distance as if wishing to avoid any association with him.

The young man didn't mind. In fact, he preferred it that way. A few days prior, he had purchased a fiddle from a wandering merchant and was still teaching himself to play. The mule's uneven trot made it challenging to keep the instrument steady, but he managed.

Jay had nestled among Jamie's belongings, the spectral cat lounging comfortably while listening to his protégé practice.

"We've been on the road for seven days, and in that short time, you've already learned to play like that. Impressive," Jay remarked, his emerald eyes gleaming as he listened to Jamie play a tune unfamiliar to him.

Jamie smiled faintly and began to sing, his voice weaving through the crisp morning air:

> In gathered ranks, the generals stand,

>

> Like witches in the shadowed land,

>

> Malevolent minds weave dire schemes,

>

> The sorcerer crafts deathly means.

Though his inspiration was true, each jostling step of the mule caused him to miss a note here and there.

> Hearken to the tale I sing,

>

> Of darkness cast by mighty kings,

>

> Where evil stirs, and plots are laid,

>

> Death's construction deftly made.

Each verse seemed to resonate, drawing attention not just from Jay but also from the travelers ahead. His voice was surprisingly rich and filled with energy and power. Until that moment, none of the clerics or even the bishop himself had realized that Jamie possessed such a gift.

The clerics whispered among themselves, casting curious glances back at him. The bishop, riding at the front, turned slightly in his saddle, a hint of intrigue in his eyes.

"Well, it appears you've caught their attention," Jay purred, a note of amusement in his voice.

"Perhaps that's not such a bad thing," Jamie replied, adjusting his grip on the fiddle's bow.

As Jamie drew his music to a close, he noticed the travelers ahead turning their gazes back to the road, no longer stealing curious glances in his direction. A subtle smile played on his lips, confirming what he had suspected.

"What song was that?" Jay asked, his eyes shimmering with interest.

"It's an interpretation I made of a song from my world," Jamie whispered, ensuring only the cat could hear.

"Quite good," Jay mused. "But if you intend to perform it in a tavern, you'll need to make it more lively. Perhaps something happier."

"Perhaps," Jamie conceded, a hint of apprehension in his voice. He worried that his music might not align with the tastes of this new world. "I'll have to test it out."

Jay stretched languidly and strolled along the mule's back until he perched himself between the animal's two ears. The mule flicked an ear but seemed otherwise unbothered by the spectral feline.

"So, why exactly are we heading to Hafenstadt?" Jay inquired, his curiosity about their destination piqued for the first time.

"To start expanding our influence and control, we need to gain more power," Jamie explained. "The best way to achieve that is in a commercial city."

"Aren't there other cities?" Jay asked, scratching his head thoughtfully with one paw.

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"Yes, but you don't have memories of any others," Jamie replied, casting a sidelong glance at the cat with a hint of reproach.

"Heh, studying was never really my strong suit," Jay admitted sheepishly.

"Given that, among the places you do know, Hafenstadt has everything I'm looking for," Jamie continued. "A large city, a bustling port, and plenty of problems with crime."

He gazed ahead with a distant look, the horizon stretching out before them. The prospect of the city stirred a mix of anticipation and calculation within him.

"A city riddled with crime sounds dangerous," Jay remarked, his tail swishing lazily. "Why seek out trouble?"

"Because where there's chaos, there's an opportunity," Jamie responded, a determined edge to his voice. "In a place like Hafenstad, we can find the leverage to build our influence. The undercurrents of disorder provide the perfect environment for someone with the right skills to thrive."

Jay tilted his head, considering his words. "And you believe we can make a difference there?"

"Difference, perhaps. But having me there will certainly be better than any crime lord," Jamie declared confidently.

"Hold on a moment," the cat said, rising to his feet atop the mule's back. "Your goal isn't to become a merchant or maybe a lord—you intend to overthrow the crime lords?"

"You haven't delved into my memories?" the young man asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I tried, but it was all too confusing. Your world was so different, and your language was hard to grasp," Jay explained. "I can tell you weren't necessarily a good person there. But I thought you'd choose a different path here, especially after being chosen by Aetheron. He's the god of goodness, justice, and the sun."

Jamie shrugged nonchalantly. "I need to complete this mission one way or another. I'll use the methods I'm best at rather than trying to prove myself. Besides, if he truly brought millions of people here, many will aim to be lords, kings, and queens. But who will have the courage to delve into the underworld?"

Jay's fur bristled slightly, a clear sign of his unease. "I assumed you'd seek a different path, not dive into the shadows."

"There are plenty who will play the heroes in the light," Jamie replied, his gaze fixed ahead. "But the shadows are where real change can happen—where we can make a true difference."

Before Jay could respond, they noticed one of the clerics approaching them from the bishop's entourage.

"We're approaching Hafenstad," the cleric announced, gesturing toward a fork in the road ahead. "The bishop wanted you to know that this is where we part ways. He has fulfilled his promise."

Jamie nodded appreciatively. "Thank you. Please convey my gratitude to the bishop."

The cleric gave a brief nod before turning his horse to rejoin the others, who were already veering off onto the left path.

Jamie adjusted the bundle on his back and, with a gentle nudge, urged his mule forward along the right-hand path toward the coast. Jay settled back down among the bags, his emerald eyes reflecting the changing landscape.

As they crested the final rise, the city of Hafenstadt unfolded before them.

Hafenstadt stood as a marvel of stone and splendor, perched on the edge of the shimmering sapphire sea. High upon imposing cliffs, golden walls rose defiantly, crowned by spires and towers that seemed to pierce the very heavens. The grand citadel dominated the skyline at, its vast stained-glass windows catching the sunlight and casting vibrant hues across its polished stone façade.

Below, nestled between the rugged cliffs, sprawled the vibrant city. A bustling harbor stretched along the entire bay, and at its center, a mighty river divided the city in two. Wooden ships with tall, proud sails swayed gently in the turquoise waters, their hulls laden with exotic goods from distant lands—silks from the East, spices from the South, precious metals from the mountains.

The narrow streets of the lower city, lined with quaint red-roofed homes and bustling shops, hummed with life. Merchants cried out their wares, fishermen unloaded the day's catch, and travelers from every corner of the realm moved through the winding alleys, each adding their voice to the port's symphony.

At the very heart of the river, on a small island that cleaved the waters in two, stood an immense tower that soared into the sky—the Wizard's Tower, for which the Arkan Empire was renowned. Its sleek, obsidian walls were etched with glowing runes, and at its pinnacle, a beacon of arcane light pulsed rhythmically, casting an otherworldly glow across the city as dusk approached.

Despite its grandeur, Hafenstadt exuded warmth and vitality. Here, ancient traditions and vibrant commerce intertwined seamlessly. Jamie knew the city's reputation well; for any adventurer, it was the gateway to dreams, fame, and fortune.

Yet, even from this distance, he could perceive the stark divisions within the city—the clear line where the bustling commercial district ended and the High Quarter began, accessible only to the nobility and guarded by imposing gates. In stark contrast were the shadowed alleys of the slums, sprawling along the city's outskirts, where the city guard rarely ventured, and the law was a distant memory.

After several more minutes on the road, Jamie and Jay stood before the colossal northern gate of Hafenstadt.

A stern-looking soldier stepped forward, his chainmail glinting under the fading sunlight. "Where do you come from? What brings you to Hafenstadt?" he demanded, his eyes scrutinizing every detail.

Jamie flashed a charming smile, his fingers lightly caressing the strings of the fiddle slung over his shoulder. "I am a traveling bard," he declared. "I've journeyed far in search of new patrons and perhaps to find a place to call home within your splendid city."

The soldier eyed him for a moment longer before nodding. He walked around their mule, inspecting the modest belongings strapped to its back. Satisfied, he stepped aside. "Very well. Just don't cause any trouble."

As they passed through the towering gate, Jay glanced over at Jamie. "What shall we do now?" he asked.

Jamie's eyes gleamed with excitement as the lively sounds of the city enveloped them. "First things first," he grinned. "We find a tavern."