At last, we had arrived in Democrit. The journey was incredulously dull, sitting in that small carriage was a deathly boring experience. 'Gods, I miss Sophia already. I can't wait to get back.'

But, those things aside now, we were in a rush. I had to get my 'invited guest' ready and informed, barring any unfortunate circumstances that Herod could possibly provide. 'I'd really like to see him try, maybe just for show.'

I entered the Throne Room, already notifying everyone of my arrival days in advance. All that was left were simple formalities. And then we would be gone for a while. 'Joy.'

Herod stood in the middle of the room in attire I could only call unceremonious. Sarron was clutched in a tight hug, something I doubted a Maorok did often.

"Ready, Sarron? I don't intend to delay this for long; the Circle meets every five years, you better not make us late," I briefly added while moving towards the unhappy pair of father and son.

Herod released Sarron from his fiery grasp, which would on other occasions make his enemies tremble. He was a mighty fine Flamebearer and a good leader. 'Hopefully, this experience teaches Sarron something valuable as well.'

"Now, remember, son, listen to Uncle Cerolus. Especially now. And do not try to disrespect any of those people." He patted Sarron on the back again, then turned to me, his eyes wet. "Please don't be harsh on him."

"Oh, I'll just give him what he's due, Herod, don't you worry about any of that. Now, the parchments," I declared offhandedly. As much as this was a private matter, the Elder Circle was a political establishment first.

I put one of my arms in front and a stack of papers was thrown on it. Every important political detail we needed to discuss with the other races contained within those flimsy sheets. 'I guess we'll be staying there for a bit longer than I initially thought. I'm going to miss her so much.'

"Here," I buried Sarron with the papers, then simply started walking away. "Now we're ready to go."

Herod stood in the centre of the Throne Room as the doors closed behind us. Sarron caught up to my walking pace.

"I'm really sorry about... everything, Uncle," he tried to mumble some incoherence at me, but stopped once I glared at him. He swung his head low on his shoulders, keeping his gaze on the floor in front of him.

The silence of the halls marred by my hoof stomps didn't last long. "Where are we going, Uncle? We're nowhere near any of the exits of the Palace."

"Any that you know of, boy," I grinned and opened the small elaborate doors that stood on the end of a nearly featureless hallway, barely illuminated by the torches.

In front of us was the room that expanded beyond what seemed normal for a door of that size and decor. The illuminated ceiling was ornated by a low hanging astrolabe, showing the current positions of the stars and moons. The elaborate piece reflected the golden light that shone onto it, littering the room with a golden hue.

The crimson markings on the floors were being redone by a number of servants and mages, each one meticulously inspected to perfection. The circle was being formed anew, as it was done every time. It was much better to be safe about these things.

The descriptions of the ritual were scattered across the room, pages upon pages of scribbles depicting how it worked. We had discovered it quite a long time ago, and many mages studied it to improve upon the points. But no improvement actually came, the initial find still remaining in use. 'Some things are made perfect as-is.'

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I watched Sarron gaze in awe, looking around the room few people actually have the privilege to see in their lifetime. I almost felt sad for what I had planned for him. But I really wasn't. 'Some things children should learn the hard way.'

I noticed the Gems being put in their positions, signalling that every plan now is afoot. I took Sarron by his hand and moved to the centre of the elaborate circle, the lines in it intersecting and curving into various shapes and figures.

I gestured towards the large Gems around us. "These are the Jaunting Gems. They are going to get us to Drakkara."

Sarron looked hesitantly at me. "Drakkara? But the Island of Drakkara is across an entire sea!"

"Which is why we're performing the Ethereal Jaunt." I motioned for the mages to start the ritual.

Pure magic was extracted from the smaller gems within the room, and every bit of it processed and channelled into the Gems. The crimson of the circle brightened as the leyline filled with energy and the Gems absorbed the power that was pushed inside of them. The Gems took on hues of crimson and brown, pulsing lazily as the spell crescendoed.

"Now, you might want to close your eyes and hold on to me," I didn't bother trying to explain everything to Sarron and let the magical energy inside my body outwards. I had to give a bit more to compensate for the stowaway that I had beside me, but it would do nothing to harm me.

The room in front of us spun once, and a blink of an eye later we were surrounded by armoured Drakkar. The Gems that were in the vastly more spacious room hummed briefly and their earthen hue dimmed. I recollected myself briefly, already got used to the process of Ethereal Jaunts. Sarron, on the other hand, was sprawled on the floor.

I picked up the papers that were littered around him, then turned to one of the guards that were stationed in the room. "Get this guy some water."

I noticed the welcoming committee waiting in the far corner of the room next to the oversized doors. Drakkar didn't bother keeping the presence of this room a secret. I myself wasn't sure what made our ancestors hide ours, but grew to like the surprise factor of it.

I glanced to look at their faces, trying to spot any familiarities. Drakkar looked odd at times, some were too similar while other could be told apart in a mass. The pair in front of me did not catch my eye.

One of them stepped forward. "Welcome to Drakkara, Lord... Cerolus, I presume?"

"Who else? There aren't many of us who classify as 'Elder' nowadays." The crowd in front of me chuckled, then returned to their stoic standing against the wall. "In any case, this is Sarron, I've already announced my invitation of him to the Circle. He won't need a room."

The Drakkar looked at me curiously, then resigned themselves to an enigmatic sigh. Their leader approached me. "The other Elders have already gathered."

"Well, then, better not make them wait for long."

Sarron had calmed down and regained his composure by now. He even managed to not puke. I was looking forward to that. "What do you mean, I won't need a room?" he gasped behind me.

I started walking again, "No need to explain when you'll get to know soon. Hurry up now. We are guests, and our hosts don't like to wait."

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Several hours earlier, Archipelago of Nazjara

"Ready, Korthonas?" I looked down to my son gripping my tail as we stood in the Hall of Flight. The Gems glowed a soft cerulean, gaining an ochre tinge as the spell words were uttered all around us.

I wondered how long would it be until he would see the shores of this land again. I puzzled on the mystery that I would encounter in but a few moments. My heart pounded as I tried to bolster myself into doing all of this. 'There is no other way, but this. I can only have hope now.'

Korthonas looked up to me, his eyes wetting with tears.

"Don't be afraid now. Mommy's here. Just look into Mommy's eyes, and it'll be over before you know it." As for how the rest of this journey will go, I knew no words of encouragement.

He gripped by tail even harder and didn't leave eye contact, his gleaming red swirls locked on my face.

The sight around us shifted instantaneously, and the rough stone of the Drakkari floors welcomed us.

A group of four Drakkar stood on the far corner of the room, making up the welcoming party. 'Only one more Elder remaining.'

The Dendrin were largely focused on being early, so I could guess who was going to be arriving last. I just hoped it was the person I expected. And could only hope even more that this affair would go as I imagined.

There was no other resort to all this. I turned to my son, who looked around the room, baffled by the strangers that were Drakkar. He looked oddly similar to them in a way, but that was a pure coincidence.

"Come on now. Let's go wait for your Dad." I outstretched my hand towards him, and he grasped it, his face oozing joy and astonishment. 'Please, Gods, don't let him lose that joy. Ever.'