Eiden was delighted by the sweet aroma of vanilla and honey as he entered the pastry shop. It reminded him of his grandmother, who had been running an Empire and still found a little time to bake mini apple pies for little Eiden. There was a line in front of the counter, and he waited remembering to keep his head down, blending into the crowd.

"Hello, Good morning sir, how can I help you?" The girl at the counter gave him a sweet smile. He had already picked which pastries he wanted, all filled with cream and chocolate, and paid the price, then waited.

Eiden was awed to see pastries move themselves to a tray neatly in a line and didn't see the girl at the counter telling something to a man who was preparing drinks. Watching the cookies roll up into stacks before jumping into a little box, he had to suppress the urge to giggle madly by lifting his hand to mimic wiping the face. It was so funny, and he again missed the thoughtful stare, the man now facing the counter was giving at his hand and face.

"Here's your order, my lord," a man's rough baritone voice called him.

After being called my lord, your lordship, his lordship, and whatnot for years, Eiden didn't register the significance of the last two words that were uttered quietly. He lifted his face still lit up in mid-smile only to be struck frozen staring at the man in front of him. Color drained from his face, and he knew it was too late, he had given himself up by his body language.

He wanted nothing but to teleport himself back to the cave, right away, at this instant. But, he stood his ground, adopted a fake smile acting like nothing was wrong, and extended both hands to get the package. The man's fingers lightly brushed over his wrist, revealing a silver of his father's family heirloom.

Eiden nearly ripped the packages out from his hands, briskly stepped out of the shop, and walked fast along the road where he and his friends were going to meet. Grinding his teeth trying not to look back with every step, he abruptly turned into an isolated sidewalk and to the treeline, where his friends showed up a few minutes later.

"Let's go, now,"

Eiden took a deep breath focused on their next stop and teleported. After three successive stops with a particularly long third jump, they landed on a sandy beach near a coastal town. The rippling waves of the sea were gently lapping the golden sand in the bright morning sun.

But, Eiden wasn't seeing any as he collapsed on the ground. He felt something wet on his face, and his fingers showed blood, a nosebleed. He heard his friends' voices, too mashed up to recognize. Trying to breathe through his mouth, Eiden let his magic slowly run through his body, calming his senses and finally opening his eyes to see the terrified faces of his friends.

He tried to speak, only to violently throw up the little breakfast he had in the morning. His friends covered him with a blanket and they huddled together in a secluded spot on the beach and waited until Eiden got himself together to talk.

"I..I'll put the wards up. I want to drink some hot tea." Eiden finally released himself from the entangled blanket and limbs around him and started setting wards while others prepared tea. Clade passed a mug of hot tea to Eiden.

"What happened, Kit?" Cissa asked. His usual playful mocking tone was replaced by a seriously concerned voice.

"Nothing. I'm sorry, I just overreacted" Eiden shook his head.

"There's this man in the shop. I think I recognized him."

"But you got scared. Eiden, did he recognize you too?" Nub stroked his head, soothingly.

Eiden looked at his hands. He pushed his left sleeve back and dragged a thumb around the wrist in slow motion, revealing a wide golden bracelet, intricately carved into a dragon in mid-flight with its wings encircling his wrist. Each scale was decorated with beautifully set precious stones. He heard the gasps from his friends.

"He's one of my father's people. I remember him quitting the imperial league to marry. This bracelet is from my father's family, an heirloom. Only people who notice it are the ones trusted enough to expose our identity." He looked at his friends, with wide eyes.

"He has known me since I was young. Called me, 'my lord'. I think he saw it when I lifted my hand to do this." Eiden showed the face-wiping gesture.

"I'm not scared, just shocked. I don't know who to trust or who not to trust. At least he didn't try to hold me back,” he sighed and drained his cup.

"Where are we by the way? You didn't mention this place," Cissa asked.

[https://i.imgur.com/B3iTaQM.jpg]

The camp in the beach of the Gulf of Angora

"It came to my mind when we stopped at the last one. We came here a few times, with Grandfather. The town over there is one of the early settlements in the Gulf of Angora.” Eiden pointed to the city, detailing the surroundings.

"That's a port city, Grandfather took me to see old sea crafts. After seeing Mashu, I suddenly thought about this place," Eiden explained, reminiscing his past.

"That man won't tell anyone about you, right?" Clade asked.

"Hope so," Eiden shrugged.

"Why don't we stay here today?" Cissa asked.

"Are you thinking of jumping into the water? It's very cold," Eiden laughed and warned Cissa.

"No, really?" Cissa went to the shoreline, touched the water, and jumped back.

"Eeep." Then, hissed at the sea, making everyone laugh.

"Let's stay here. From tomorrow, we walk," Clade finalized the plan.

Eiden curled up in their small tent and fell asleep. After a recharging nap and a delicious meal of freshly brought meat and fish with a dessert of cookies and fruit, and a hot cup of tea Eiden was happy and energetic.

"Have seen pictures of the Gallian sea in the books. The one you said, 'Summer rush'." Clade said, staring at the distant lights of the port city.

"Yes, it's really fun," Eiden's smile faded.

"You know, my uncle's holiday mansion is near the west coast." Eiden knew that area well.

"I have no idea what uncle wants, and why. I know a few places around the strait. Let's pass that area as quickly as possible." Eiden was not going to get caught with his friends.

For the next two days, they avoided most of the towns, as in the rural areas or even larger towns, their kind of strangers were seldom seen and surely would have attracted attention. At the end of the second day, they arrived in the Soeriend Highlands.

Eiden teleported to an isolated little beach at Norfall, where his grandmother said it was something of a childhood sacred place for her. He only knew somewhere closer to this area Ierma had a house.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

"It'sss cooold."

All of his friends were trying to cover themselves as much as possible, shivering and Lugars had their fur sticking out.

"I think we should go to the town nearby, let's find some shop with good down jackets, I'll buy some for all of us." Eiden being a water elemental was better adapted to the cold weather than Southerners.

They walked around and found a road leading inland. After walking along a few small roads, came to a small town, with a few shops open. Though it was only late autumn, Norfall had seen more than a few snowing days. Roadsides had been covered with snow and some areas were even slippery with ice.

“Eiden, you should ask about Ierma from the shop," Nub said through her chattering teeth.

"I'm looking for a lady. Her name's Ierma. For a while, she lived in Newheart, then I heard she left there, and came here. Do you know her address?" After paying for the jackets, he asked about Ierma from the shopkeeper.

The old shopkeeper tapped on the counter, thinking for a while.

"How does she look?" he finally asked.

"Mm..I don't know actually. I'm looking for her, for my grandmother," Eiden innocently lied.

"Hmm.. an Ierma is living down the hill." He scribbled a map, telling Eiden how to go to the cottage. He thanked the old man and came to his friends.

Eiden distributed long warm jackets among friends and couldn't stop laughing at Nub who looked like a heavily wrapped furry potato. They walked through small lanes and footpaths and finally arrived at an isolated cottage. Eiden was a bit afraid to knock, but his friends pushed him to the door before retreating to the dark shadows.

He tapped the wooden door and waited. A scuffling of feet inside, a removal of latch, and the door was opened by a woman, a little taller than Eiden, with light brown hair scattered with gray strands. A blanket was thrown over her shoulders. She's the one he was looking for.

"Hello," The ierma-like woman greeted and looked at him with confused suspicion.

"Do you need any help?" she asked.

"Mm..no..I mean yes. Is your name Ierma and did you live in Newheart?"

"What?" Her demeanor instantly changed from kind to cautious and almost cold.

"Yes, but that was a long time ago, I have no connection with anyone there nowadays," she threw the words at him, slamming the door to his face. Eiden's heart felt like it dropped to the stomach. Did someone come here asking her anything before?

"Please, don't close the door," he held it open.

"Cod tongues, someone thought they were disgusting, did you prove them wrong? And made them ask again?" Eiden's words made her hand drop from the door. With trembling hands, she touched his shoulders.

"Come inside." Her whisper was so low and was barely audible.

"I have friends. They are cold."

They entered the small yet cozy living room with a merrily cackling fire burning in the fireplace, where a pot of stew with a delicious smell was hanging. The four friends stood awkwardly in the middle of the small room.

Ierma took Eiden's face in her shaking hands and peered into his eyes.

"Are you her ladyship's little one?" She pushed the hood back and touched his hair looking closely.

"It's a black dye," Eiden replied.

"I'm lost, Ierma," he said in a small voice. She took his cold hands and kissed them several times.

"Let me introduce my friends, Clade, Cissa, and Nub," Eiden pointed to each. His friends had started to shed their packs and all the warm clothing. Now stood in their true forms making Ierma look at them half in wonder and half in fear. They greeted her in unison.

"Hello,"

"Hello, mm..sit here by the fire, you must be hungry. Let me cook something more,"

"We have some food with us," Eiden clutched her hand.

Soon, the cottage was filled with the aroma of roasted meat, fried fish, and cheese. Since his friends refused to leave the fire, Eiden took a small table close to it and throughout the meal Ierma sent questioning glances at him but said nothing. It was Eiden who started the conversation.

"Did someone come here perhaps looking for me, or just to see you're still maintaining contact with the Palace?" he asked Ierma.

"It was about a fortnight ago that Palace guards came here. I couldn't believe her ladyship was gone. I've never thought anyone could harm her." Ierma's voice shook and her warm gray eyes flooded with tears. Eiden held her hands in his.

"So did I, Ierma," he said sorrowfully, trying to hide his own.

"If someone has already come here, they can come again. We can not stay,” Eiden's friends groaned.

"But, it's cold,” Cissa whined.

"Please, Ierma, do you know anywhere we could stay hidden at least for a while?"

"My grandson has a small cottage far out to the fjord. He lived here, and recently moved out. There are fewer people on the roads now. We can go." Ierma stood up, explaining.

"Must we?" Nub, who was stretched on the floor next to the fire, arched her back, yawning and curled up.

"Oh, come on, get up now, just a little more walking," Eiden chuckled. They grumbled and hissed at each other while bundling up themselves.

Ierma knocked on the door of a little cottage located beneath a hill facing the fjord. The door was opened by a tall and handsome young man who stood blocking the door frame with his large form.

"Mama, what.." He stopped when he noticed someone standing behind her. He stepped out of the door sweeping a protective hand around Ierma.

"Ivar," Ierma addressed him quietly.

"We will talk inside." She ushered everyone inside and closed the door. Eiden felt that Ivar wasn't going to be very friendly.

"Ivar, son, this is her ladyship's grandson and his friends. My lord, this is my grandson, Ivar," Ierma introduced Eiden to Ivar.

"Hello, Ivar," Eiden extended his hand. But, Ivar didn't take it, and he looked at Ierma.

"What are they doing here with you, mama?" Before answering him, Ierma turned to Eiden's friends.

"Please, make yourselves comfortable,"

They didn't need any more encouragement to shed their cloaks and various other warm clothes, placing the fur blankets as close as possible to the fire.

"Cissa's going to burn the tail." Eiden dragged him backward.

"Good night, Eiden," they mumbled before curling up to sleep.

Eiden turned to Ivar and Ierma, while the former looked amused, the latter didn't seem impressed.

"Ierma, I need to secure the property." Eiden unpacked his runic stone set. She came with him outside and watched him placing them around the house.

"What is the meaning of this, mama? Is this the reason the guards were looking for you? Where were you hiding him?" Ivar exploded when they stepped back to the house.

"Ivar, lower your voice, young man."

Ivar stopped but refused to sit and stood there fuming.

"Young lord just arrived. I didn't get a chance to talk because we all hurried to get here," Ierma said and was going to question Eiden, but he interrupted.

"Ierma, please tell me everything you know that happened after my grandmother's passing."

"You don't know?" she exclaimed.

"Please," Eiden wanted to know what was going on from someone from their society.

"There wasn't much that we heard. It was two and half years ago, the news came that her ladyship had passed away. I was worried about the young lady, your mother. I sent some letters but never got any reply. Imperial guards were sent to towns, because of rebels they said. Then about two years ago, we heard Lord Elvin appointed as a Regent. I wanted to go to Newheart, but well.."

"Well, I told her not to," Ivar snapped.

"Anything else happened?" Eiden asked her.

"No, my lord, until those guards came to see me. They asked if there was anyone from the Palace I still keep in contact with. I said my contact was only her ladyship, but that was only on special occasions. That's all."

Eiden took a deep breath. So, Uncle was right and there truly were rebels?

"My lord?"

Eiden felt confused. It was like these days he was nothing but always confused with anything and everything.

"I don't know what happened exactly," he began to tell.

“I woke up a year ago in the Palace infirmary,” Eiden told what happened to him.

"You see Ierma. I just trusted them because they were practically strangers and took care of me without asking anything. I don't want to go back without knowing what's actually happening." Eiden stopped his long story.

"I'm scared too,'' he added quietly.

"Oh my poor child," Ierma was already shedding tears, stood up, and gathered him in her arms. He buried his face on her shoulder.

"So what do you want from us? Apart from putting my poor mama into government wrath and anything else?"

Eiden forgot Ivar was in the room with them. Eiden saw that Ierma was going to scold him and he stopped her. He wasn't exactly sure what he wanted from her in the first place, a friendly face, trusted adult presence perhaps.

"I..err I think if..if Ierma knows someone loyal to my family, who's willing to help to find my parents, something like that," he tried to explain.

"We'll talk about it tomorrow, sleep now. My lord must be exhausted."