Adrest woke even earlier than normal as he prepared almost double what they normally would for breakfast. Which turned out to be just barely enough to satisfy Alissa's endless stomach, devouring plate after plate. Only after the last steak was finished did Alissa lean back and let out a content sigh.
“I feel like myself again. Now if everyone’s about ready, what would you say to visiting Rose and the Hearth and Home. We won’t be able to see her for probably around half a year, so I’d love to spend a night there and then we can visit Everflow City, and then you guys can go towards the tournament while I go to Zoya’s island.”
Getting nods of approval, they were soon in the air headed towards the town. As they made their way inside, Adrest was surprised to see the Hearth and Home so busy, nearly packed for a lunch rush. As an unfamiliar serving girl rushed around, the three got the VIP treatment and sat right across from the busy Rose.
They had wanted to just get a room and return when it was quieter, but Rose wouldn’t have any of it, insisting they have a nice meal after a long trip. Rose still found some time in between pouring drinks and grabbing orders to catch up and talk.
After it slowed down late in the evening, Rose kept handing out drinks nonstop as they caught up, trying to get the four to stay up for as long as she could. It worked too, the three adults stayed up with Rose until nearly the next morning, chatting about all sorts of things and gossiping about the latest rumors from distant lands.
It was late morning before everyone was ready to leave. Rose was pouting, “Do you really have to leave so soon? It’ll already be summer by the time you’ll be back.”
Once again shooting down the bartender, Rin shook her head, “Sorry Rose but we have to leave early just in case we get delayed.”
“Fine, I can’t keep you here for myself. Just promise me you’ll all be careful and take care of each other.” Rose went down the line and tightly hugged the four, hesitating for a second as she reached Adrest. Alissa gave Adrest a shove into Rose and he took the hint, helping Rose make up her mind.
She went red as Adrest’s thin but sturdy arms, like corded steel, wrapped around her but hugged the leaving friend as tight as her E rank body would allow. “If you come back injured again Adrest, I’ll never let you drink another drop under my roof.”
“I’ll do what I can, see you soon Rose.”
Rose waved the group off, feeling more lonely than she had in a long time. Maybe she’d have someone come in for a few weeks so she could visit her family in Everflow, it’d been well over a year at this point.
In the early morning sun and cool breeze, Adrest, Alissa, Rin, and Belle walked off towards the mountains like they usually would. This time though they would actually cross the mountain range.
Rin was leading the way, most familiar with the path they’d be using. “If we walk, it’s three days up, two days down, and another half a day to get to Everflow City.”
“But since everyone here can fly, we can get over the mountain sometime tonight, then run the last portion just in case any guards are watching the skies.”
Seeing everyone nodding in agreement, and they were sufficiently far from the village, Rin led everyone a few miles off trail and started ascending. Adrest’s raven black wings unfurled with a deep whoosh. Alissa’s masterfully carved purple wings silently expanded as if they’d always been there. Belle hopped on Alissa’s back, now used to it and they followed their guide.
In just an hour, they were a third of the way up the mountain side, showing how truly massive the entire range was. The saving grace for the weaker members of the group was that even D and C rank bodies can easily adjust to the increasingly thin air.
Adrest was buzzing through the bitter cold wind to keep up with a sprinting Rin, running through the air like a gazelle. His heart was pounding but his breathing was still even, able to keep pace with the other two after months of endurance training.
They finally took a break at the summit, admiring the view. Many, many miles above, they could see an endless sea of clouds below, stretching to the horizon. All around them was ice and snow, not making it the most comfortable viewing space, but the feeling of majesty conquering such a mountain made up for it.
“I think I want a house on the top of a mountain someday.” Adrest said his daydreams out loud, which made Alissa excited.
“I’d love that! The house I grew up in was at the top of one of the largest mountains on the continent, and Father always had lightning streaking around the clouds below and around us. I loved to sit and just watch it trail and arc while I worked on my studies.”
Adrest felt like he was always learning more about Alissa, but in hindsight it made sense the lightning dragon liked lightning and heights.
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“I’m not sure I’ll ever find anything that can compare to what you grew up in, but I’ll try my best.”
Alissa gave her Ady a hug, already anticipating what he would come up with. “I already know I’ll love it.”
Rin was feeling a little hint of jealousy at the display, wishing she had someone to dream about their future with.
Alissa somehow sensed this and smiled at Rin behind her, “You’ll be there too, right Rin?”
Forcing back blush on her face at being seen through, Rin couldn’t hide the smile as she vigorously nodded. “I’d like that.”
They only took a short break to catch their breath and for Belle to move her muscles a bit after laying still on Alissa for so long. Going down was much faster than up, just two hours later they touched down on the other side. Adrest couldn’t tell the difference, the landscape looking identical.
Rin pointed to an opening in the trees near her, “Now we just have to walk a few miles to join up with the main trail.”
As they walked, Adrest started to notice small differences, there were far fewer old trees on this side, and there were many open patches of land.
“What happened to the plant life?”
Rin, remembering it from a class answered, “It’s because whenever there are signs of a Beast Tide, the army destroys and levels all the terrain in the area. It makes long distance magic easier for the mages, and it’s safer for the soldiers to have an open battlefield.”
“We’d be fine if a Beast Tide happened while we’re in the forest, right?” Adrest asked, seeing how much of the landscape had already grown back.
Alissa patted his shoulder, “If I’m around, they’ll run the other way. If it’s just the formation, a few would wander in, but they wouldn’t make it anywhere near the core area.”
Adrest breathed a sigh of relief with one less natural disaster to worry about in the future, thankful once again for Alissa’s extravagance.
“So, did you get to see much of the city the last time you were here Rin?”
Alissa was excited to see what a trade hub human city would look like, sadly Rin couldn’t give her much.
“I was just passing through on my way to the outpost and didn’t get to see much, but I can tell you it’s massive. The walls around the city are amazing, they’re over five stories tall! They had all sorts of shops, but I was in a rush so I couldn’t try many.”
“Then let’s explore for a few days. I’ll buy anything you want while we’re here.” Alissa nonchalantly promised as they walked, Rin awkwardly nodding, feeling a little more comfortable with the idea of taking money from her very rich friend.
Just as the sun was hanging low in the sky, they finally made it to the large front gates of Everflow City, having been walking towards the distant sight for over an hour.
Greeting them was two guards, both in full shining metal plate and looked exceptionally fit as they stood ramrod straight. A deep monotone voice came from the one on their left, a middle-aged man with blonde hair buzzed short and a severe look on his face. "Identification and purpose for your visit."
Their nominal guide Rin stepped out with a collection of guild cards in her hands, “Here you are sir, we’re just resting for a few days before setting back off for a task from the Guild.”
The guard raised his eyebrows at the quick and nondescript explanation, especially as he saw the group of demi-humans following the young girl. They were rare so far from the Beast Nations. The older guard was planning to more closely question the strange group, but upon seeing the SC on the brunette’s card, and the shining golden swords on each of the others’, he decided it was too big to be his problem and let them through.
“Everything looks to be in order, enjoy your stay.”
“Have a nice day, Mr. Guard!”
Rin waved the others through, who were in awe of the city waiting on the other side of the thick walls. As far as the eye could see were streets of massive buildings, towering over the people below, a few even taller than the watch towers along the walls.
Dragging the group along, Rin excitedly toured the many busy streets. As the sun drifted downward, the many mana lights lining the streets turned on, giving everything a magical multi-colored glow. Finally, they walked by a small open booth style restaurant on a quiet street corner.
The air nearby was saturated with exotic spices and the heat of peppers and oils. Serenading the hungry adventurers was the sizzle of marinaded pork, chicken, and other ingredients and the laughs of the few customers sitting at the bar.
Drooling, Rin led the group to a table next to the bar. She gave the saddest eye’s she could, taking notes from Belle, and asked, “Could we eat dinner here, then worry about finding a place to stay?”
Adrest’s stomach answered for himself, a little embarrassed at his lack of control but it really did smell divine now that they were so close. He took a seat and the other two followed his lead, Alissa and Belle always happy to try something new.
Looking over the menu hanging on the wall behind the older man cooking, They didn’t recognize any of the names, so everyone just ordered something different, figuring they could swap around later.
As the smell suggested, the restaurant used a lot of spice and very intense flavors. Most of it was a little too much for Belle, but by luck Adrest ordered a thick braised beef stew that Belle loved.
The other three sampled a little from each dish, slowly cleaning the remaining plates. Adrest savored the lingering sweet spice of their meal, Alissa and Rin sipping on a fresh squeezed juice that was lightly bubbling. It was the gimmick of the restaurant to drop a piece of ice charged with air magic to the bottom of the cup, releasing a stream of carbonation until the ice melted.
Alissa saw Adrest looking her way and shoved the cup in his face, he swore he almost chipped a tooth, “Try it Ady, it’s like sweet champagne without the alcohol.”
As Adrest was being force fed some of Alissa drink, Belle grew curious hearing it was like alcohol but wasn’t, “Could I try some?”
Rin happily handed over her glass, “Feel free to have it Belle, I’m stuffed.”
Belle took a small sip, her ears wagging at the flavor, “Thank you Big sis Rin!”
Adrest sighed that Belle really knew her sisters’ weaknesses, seeing Rin practically melt whenever Belle called her Big sis. But Alissa was right, it wasn’t too sweet, and the acidity of the fruit made it delicious to sip on as she finally let him come up for air.
“How is it?” Alissa smiled sweetly after nearly drowning him.
“It’s delicious.” Adrest sighed that maybe Belle learned it from Alissa because she always seemed to know the right look to make him deflate.
Their stomachs were full, Adrest got information from the kind store owner that was happy to point them in the direction of a nice hotel. Just a few streets over they found the hotel they’d been pointed towards, a large stone building with a wooden sign that read Stoneworth Inn.