Once the hottest day of the summer came to the city, the mock exam was drawing near. Sun, Pagasa, and Shuja left the city on a carriage the carpenters refurbished after finding it in the castle stable. Their coachman was Korge and they traveled with the rest of the Orgut cavalry, with Cossack leading the way. Once they reached the border, Pagasa stepped out and talked to the patroling dwarves.

Dwarves were wearing blue uniforms with an assortment of chest plates over them. They looked like dragon scales that protected the dwarves' bodies from harm. One of the dwarves stood out from the rest. He wore a ball-shaped hat with blue feathers sticking out from the back with one peacock feather sticking out from the center. He was the leader of the troops patrolling this part of the border.

After a few minutes, Pagasa returned to the carriage, and the dwarves let them through. A shimmering waterfall appeared before the goblins and it opened like a curtain until it was wide enough for the horses and carriage to fit through. "What is that?" Sun asked.

"The dwarves created a thin veil that surrounded the forest," Pagasa explained., "It's thin enough to be nearly invisible to the naked eye but strong enough to stop a man from forcing his way inside. It's one of their methods to protect the forest from outsiders."

"Or a good way to cage us in."

"Sun, I understand your skepticism knowing your past." Pagasa coughed. "But I've known the Walz King for years, and our past nation were close allies with the Walz until the drones came."

"I read the diary, and I found some old book in the castle."

"You did?"

"Yeah," Sun leaned back on his chair. "The dark elves underground were our allies along with the dwarves. All three nations signed a defense pact against an empire called the Zucal. But that was nearly four hundred years ago."

"The contract our ancestors signed still binds us today."

Shuja butted in, "Is it because of magic?"

"No, it's because of principle."

"Really?" Shuja and Sun asked with doubt.

"Well, I would be lying if it's only because of principle." Pagasa sighed. "There was also the threats that plague our nations and the possibility of an inevitable conflict that could destroy us. For the dwarves, they feared the steppe hordes. You see, across the eastern mountains, where the dwarves lived, is a vast open land inhabited by several races, living together as clans. They fought each other for supremacy and raided the civilized nations that were unlucky enough to be next to their territory. The Walz Kingdom has experienced several large raids that nearly escalated to war, and if clans ever joined forces under one banner,"

"Then they would be a terrifying force, a true horde." Sun finished, "Like the Mongols." He whispered to himself.

"Exactly. Meanwhile, our nation was in a constant power struggle with the nations to the west. They formed a confederacy under an elected ruling country, but fortunately, the region's political climate kept them under control, unable to form any semblance of unity. Still, the potential the central nations possess is unquestionably worrisome. And finally, the dark elves beneath us. Their main problem is the chaos vermins that continued to plague the deep caverns. They are in a constant state of war as they defend their bastion of light from the coming chaos. And the combination of our absence and their recent civil war must have made this eternal task more difficult. Our three nations banded together to defend each other in time of crisis."

"But I'm guessing you didn't expect a crisis in the level of the drones' invasion?"

"Gods are fickle beings. They promise to take care of you and protect you. But they're never when you needed them the most."

"I heard from a wise man once," Sun cough. "That god does help you during times of suffering. You just don't notice it because he's carrying you. And knowing god, you expect him to be above you, not below you."

"Bahahaha!" Pagasa laughed, "Better tell that wise man to stay in his world because, in this world, gods don't carry us. We carry them."

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

After what seemed to be days of traveling, they finally arrived at the southern city, Scoffing City. The coastal city was teeming with life, but unfortunately, the other goblins won't be able to stay and see the city's wonders due to their hideous form.

They camped several miles away from the city wall. The entrances had constant traffic coming in and out of the city, carrying goods from far away land. The city's roofs had vibrant colored titles and the walls of the city had a polished marble color finish despite the city primarily made out of limestone and other local rocks. Along the outer wall and the docks were the different city-states' flags allied to the Scoffing City.

Sun and Shuja got off and took their bags with them. Pagasa tossed a coin to Sun, "Take this and show it to the gate guards and the Sea Guild."

"What is it?" Sun asked.

"It's the mark of a royal heir on their way to take the church's exam. Present that to the guild, and they will find you a captain and a ship. It can take some time to find one. Some of the exam takers can be a little, oh what's the word? Hostile with the idea of sharing a boat with another royal."

"So there stingy?" Shuja asked.

"Yes."

Sun and Shuja waved goodbye at their goblins and set foot to Scoffing City. The front gate was made of Tungstree material and decorated with marble reliefs of ships sailing in the sea and the gods of the ocean guiding them to safer waters. Guards wearing light green uniforms were stationed on the road, expecting suspicious carts and interviewing newcomers.

The guards moved up the line until they saw Sun and Shuja. They asked them where they came from, but once Sun showed him the coin, the guards quickly changed their attitudes. They escorted them through the traffic and gave them directions to the Sea Guild. Shuja was surprised to know that they were friendly, but Sun expected much. He lived in the city in his previous life, and although it's a popular belief that city folks are unfriendly and pompous, in truth, they are some of the friendliest and down-to-earth people.

But make no mistake, there are thieves among the crowds desperate enough to steal and threaten anyone they find weak and alone. Sun is no stranger to such people, but it's also hard to commit such felonies when there are eyes and ears everywhere, ready to notify the guards of malicious intent. This is why the busiest routes are often the safest to travel through. The city's market was the best route to take.

Shuja hated the busy street. Every inch of land was taken over by petty merchants with their various goods for sale. And the customers walked shoulder to shoulder in the middle of the street with their giant groceries, making it difficult to navigate through the tide of people. The air was polluted with loud sounds, with customers and vendors yelling at each other as they bargain with the price. And chaos was always present as guards and normal citizens constantly catching thieves and other criminals among the crowd.

"Sun, are we there yet?" She asked, but Sun was too far and could not hear her over the noise. Then suddenly, a wave of people crashed to her, pulling her along with them. "Sun help!" She yelled.

Sun turned around and grabbed her hand. "Stick close to me." He pulled her to his chest. Shuja embraced him. "You're like a country girl in the middle. Wait, you are technically a country girl. In the middle of a city."

"I don't know how you can get used to this because I can't. There are just too many people here."

"Don't worry," Sun gently held her hands close to him, "Just hold on tight. Ok?"

"Ok," Shuja took a deep breath and wrapped her hands around Sun's arms. The city life was new to her, and the city overwhelmed her senses. But being near Sun gave her some confidence and peace. She placed her bags in front of her and then leaned her head on his shoulder as they across the market.

At the edge of the marketplace was the Sea Guild. A humble building with giant signage over its doors and in between its second-floor windows. On the sign were two waves crashing against one another while the sun sticking out behind them.

They entered the building and saw a long line to the reception desk. "You think we can skip the line if we show them our coin?" Sun asked.

Shuja released Sun's arm, "Let's give it a try." She walked to the last person in line. "Hey you, make way. We are royals." She said with a huge smile on her face.

"And?" The large muscular looked at them, "You wait in line like everybody else!"

Shuja was about to yell back, but Sun quickly covered her mouth and told the scruffy gentleman, "Yes sir, and sorry." Shuja bit Sun's fingers. "Why did you do that for?"

"And what about you?"

"Look, it's better to not cost problems while we are in the city. Trust me, cops, I mean the guards will come to us once we start a fight. Then they will drag us to the station, and they're going to question us for some bullshit, and it will just make our time waiting here longer. Let's chill for now."

Shuja crossed her arms, "Fine. But you know, you've been more patient than before. I'm honestly surprised. I thought you'll jump in and fight too. Maybe becoming king changed you."

"Honestly, I don't feel any different than before. I still feel like Sun trying to protect his flock of goblins."

"Hehe, you talk like an Orgut."

The line quickly moved, and within an hour, it was their turn to speak with the receptionist. "How may I help you?" He asked. Sun showed him the coin. "Exam taker? Alright, walk inside and head upstairs. The Guildmaster will give you a ship and captain for your journey." He opened the door next to the front desk. Sun and Shuja walked in and saw the swivel stairs leading to the third floor where the Guildmaster's room was on.

Once they reached the room, they opened the door and were welcomed by a dark-skinned woman. She wore an expensive gown, and her perm blocked the majority of the tainted window behind her. The rainbow-colored light from the window highlighted her slim silhouette. Sun walked in, "Are you the Guildmaster?"

"Yes, I am dear." She said, "But you can just call me Barbara." She stood up and walked to a table with a kettle on a stove. "Come and sit. I'll pour us some tea."

Sun and Shuja sat down on the wooden bench in front of the desk. Sun placed the coin on the table for Barbara to see. Next to the coin was a picture of Barbara standing in the middle of nowhere with a flag in her hand. The black and white picture was fascinating for Shuja, but Sun has seen plenty of them in his past life. "Is that you in the drawing?" Shuja asked.

"Yes. I was with an inventor that just created a machine that can take pictures by capturing light." Barbara gave Sun and Shuja a warm cup of tea, then sat down on her chair. "We are in the most northern part of the world. And I became the first woman to reach the north pole. I would love to tell you more, but we don't have much time, the mock exam was moved up by a day."

"What?" Suns was surprised, "That means we could end being late."

"Exactly, but fortunately I have a Captain and a crew ready to take on any job. His name is Captain Sparrow."

"The Captain Sparrow?" Sun asked.

"You've heard of him?"

Sun glanced around the room, avoiding eye contact, "Maybe?"

"Well, he's not much, but he is a fast sailor." She took a sip from her cup before continuing, "And our Quarter Master, Vivi, will be with him. She managed to hire a surplus from a previous contract, so we don't need to look for crewmembers to join. We just have one problem."

Shuja finished her tea and then asked, "And what's the problem?"

"The ship. I don't know if you royals are ok with it, but it's the only ship we have."

"What's wrong with the ship?"

Barbara sighed, "I think it's better if you see it for yourself."