Dusk is near, about an hour, and the sun would begin to settle down. They were left with two choices, to sally forth their travels or find a bed.

Sounds of nature's twilight can be heard as Akatosh looks up through the sky, deciding. Meanwhile, Lila blankly narrows her eyes towards him waiting for him to make a move.

"Mm-hmm…" Akatosh sigh. "Do you like inns?" He continues towards Lila.

"I-I'm not sure. I've never been to an inn." She writes.

"Then it's settled, we'll be staying for today. You okay with that?"

Lila looks down fiddling with her clothes. "I don't have money."

"It's fine I'll take care of it." He says, passing her. "Let's take this as part of your experience as an elf." He continues sauntering away.

Lila was left silent. She had met countless humans with their disgusting desire and lust but never had she met a human like he was. The only thing she could do is follow his back.

Postponing their journey, Akatosh and Lila went around town asking and looking for a decent inn. With some money in the pocket, Akatosh picks the 'Merchant's Inn'. A tavern for high-class people.

He took notice if Roel is still around town, but he must have left the town early after accomplishing his task.

Pushing the double door open, the inside of the tavern catches their attention. All were put to upright property. To their front were crisscrossing stairways overlaid by red carpet leading to the second floor. From the left side of the stair is a bartender, while to its opposite are two female registrars busy with paper documents.

The architectural design bedazzles Akatosh. Vines slithers around the columns as rays of sunlight beams some of the places. The cleanliness and way it were organize, truly fits for merchants and royal travelers. And it wasn't just an inn, but it also serves as a brothel on the third floor.

As always, Akatosh cautiously observes the place, the people, and the tavern guards glancing at the two of them in a peasant's eye. There were few adventurers, not more than five conveying in elegant manners.

"What can I do for you two." The female receptionist asks, masking her unpleasant reaction to the two of them whose boots mar the carpet.

Their presence tinder's some of the merchants and royals. So too the adventurers were embarrassed by his appearance. Even Lila was petrified, blushing in mortification.

Trying her hard, the receptionist expects a bag full of coppers but Akatosh glides a gold coin on the table shutting her low social sight.

"Two separate rooms if you wouldn't mind." Akatosh lower.

"Err… do you have a balance of ten silver." She says nervously.

Akatosh sigh checking his inventory. Conjuring coins in thin air would suspect the receptionist as an illusion, so Akatosh slip his hand through his cloak hiding the magic.

"Here you go," Akatosh says, placing the silver coins. "And do you have a restroom?"

Nodding to her coworker, the receptionist asks them to follow her.

"You can take your time here." The receptionist says, swaying her hands.

"Thanks," Akatosh says.

Separated into two corners one for the female and the other for the male. Indistinctively Akatosh headed inside and quickly he begin cleansing his muddled boots. After that, he switches his boots to a modern shoe then quickly exits the room.

"You're fast," Akatosh says, seeing Lila standing on the wall, waiting for him.

Measuring her in seconds Akatosh notices her clothes and her worn-down boots.

"The day is still hot; why don't we use this time to go around town. What say you?" Akatosh smile.

"I'm fine with it." Lila nods.

Lucky for Akatosh the town's ground is paved with cobblestone, good for him to use his shoes.

Taking their time wandering through the bustling market. To experience new as an elf, Lila was glamorized by the merchant's jewels shop and other fascinating objects. She however was disgusted when she saw the caged birds.

Having seen enough Akatosh led her to an apparel shop. And as soon as they enter the place, ringing the doorbell.

"What can I get you, my beloved customers." The shopkeeper said, drifting his pipe away with a feminine voice for a man.

"I need new boots and clothes for her." Akatosh reply.

"Ah… An elf I see. I may have some for you, young girl." The shopkeeper says. "Oh… feel free to look around." He continues.

And while Akatosh was checking his wares. "These are pretty good qualities you have," Akatosh says, rubbing the fabric.

"Ahh… you've got a good eye. Sadly, it's hard for people like us to keep the rout going."

"You mean the roads?"

"Yes… you are quite the person I've met. The merchants' guild is now… let's say they're in charge of the road. Tell me, you must come from Mavigrid."

"Oh no we are. It's the opposite however, we're going to Mavigrid."

"I see… here we are." The shopkeeper says, bringing out packs of clothes closely resembles that to elven apparel. "It's not the best but it's the least I can offer."

Lila was staggered gazing at Akatosh. "Are you sure I can--"

"Well go on then… try those clothes." Akatosh interrupts.

Like a slave from his words, Lila quickly scoops the clothes, and right away she went towards the changing room.

Few seconds after she left. "Is she your…" The shopkeeper blurts.

"A companion." Akatosh quickly respond before the man could continue the word 'slave'.

"Oh! I apologize."

"It's fine. How much farther is Mavigrid from here if you don't mind asking."

"Depends if you are galloping the horse full time it might give you a few days and weeks. But if you are accustomed to snail wagons, I'd say you'll consume more than a week or a month."

Minutes pass from their cohesive words Lila emerges in her new form outfit. Like a mage, the long sleeve and her fitted robe-garments suit her the best. Dyed in verdant, patterned in composite design. The clothing was a beauty for the eyes.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Akatosh looks for a mere second and returns his eyes to the shopkeeper paying for Lila's clothes.

Bidding their farewell and gratitude, Lila asks Akatosh when they are outside the shop. "I don't know how to thank you but, why would you--"

"It's society," Akatosh interrupts, "I just don't want those eyes narrowing at me with an elf in rough clothing."

Upon their return, the place quickly fills dozens of merchants, wondrously sipping their goblet of expensive wine. You can tell their clothes are fine and decorative so much so that silver and gold are embedded.

Ignoring the whimpering laughter and boastful conversation of those high standard people Akatosh and Lila heads to their respective room. Before Akatosh would enter his room, he requests a basin of water.

Locking the door, Akatosh immediately brings out the weapons he collected, spilling through the floor. From the other side, Lila can hear the sound of metal clanking.

After completely emptying all those weapons he stored. Using the basin of water which he requested before, Akatosh slowly takes his time cleaning the weapons and armors.

Taking a good look at every shape, size, look, and enchantment of the weapons. He separates the common weapon from the exotic ones. And out of fifty weapons, five were added to his special collection.

Wrapping them in fabric he moves on to sort his gems and money. He went on with his things busy harmonizing the items until such time sleep once again take over. The night after that, both of them resume their travels just as the sun tops the level of the mountains.

"Can you just get a horse?" Says Amaragnum. Tired from seeing him taking the roads on foot.

"I-I" Akatosh stammer.

"Don't tell me… You don't know how to ride a horse?!" Amaragnum shrieks. "Hahahahah, look at this, a self-proclaim traveler who doesn't even know how to saddle a horse."

"Damn you… It's not like that." Akatosh reason but Amaragnum had far suppressed his word.

Using the newly updated maps that Akatosh bought from the town. And after carefully reviewing the data, the map gave him a month to reach Mavigrid using the road. The town they passed rested was the border of Mavigrid but, to reach the main city of Mavigrid they will need a bit of time. However, Akatosh takes a different approach.

To shorten the time and efforts, they cut straight through the dangerous mountain pass. He was in a hurry after he heard a commotion about the 'Fleet Admiral Queen' back at the merchants' inn. It was indispensable for him.

The far edge of the alps was easy to cross yet when they are in the middle of the area, things start to become more difficult. Lucky for him Lila was there to help him cross the treacherous mountains.

It was hard, snow blizzards their path, snow trolls are frequently encountered. Worst, Lila nearly falls into the dense cliff and loosens rocks.

Due to his ecstasy, Akatosh felt sorry for Lila. And when the eighth night came, inside the cave, Akatosh questions her after their dinner.

"Why is it that you want to go to Mavigrid that bad," Akatosh ask after he overlooked her unbending determination.

"It's my brother." She responds as her face turns cold and blue. "We wonder far from our border, that's when we encountered a group of people. I tried to get him out of their grasp, but their power is far superior... I even grovel for them to let my brother go but…" She writes gritting her teeth.

"I see," Akatosh says, already knowing the next phase of her story he calls it a night. "Sleep, I'll do the watch--"

"No, I'll do it." She interrupts.

Raising his left eyebrow. "Are you sure?" Akatosh ask.

There wasn't a text, she only nods in sincere firmness.

"Fine then," Akatosh says, conjuring a potion.

"What's that." Lila writes, showing her worried face.

"My medicine."

Taking ten drops of the liquid, Akatosh quickly fell to slumber as he cocoons himself in a thick blanket close to the bonfire.

Sighting in relief, Lila can't help herself to this curious and mysterious man. She thought about his magic, and how she had witnessed his demonized power. She felt the immense energy bursting through his body. But she was disappointed when they battled the spiders. Lila had hoped to better know this man, his power but she completely lost it when the storm passed. Having 90% resistance to sleep and daze magic Lila took the night shift all by herself while Akatosh sloth himself.

When the rays of sunlight crest the cave, warming the land and banishing the luminous darkness. Lila was still hesitant to wake Akatosh in his comfy sleep, muttering the word 'battleship' through his sleep.

Later, after patiently waiting for him to open his eyes. Lila sigh shaking Akatosh. It starts with a slow and smooth shuddering to an aggressive quiver.

"You were talking to yourself last night." Lila writes after she had wiggled him from his slumber.

"Mm-hmm, what did I say," Akatosh says fixing his items and preparing breakfast.

"Something about battle and ships." Lila writes.

Akatosh chuckles while preparing a meal. "Damn, I hope I can turn my dreams into reality."

Burying the bonfire in snow they trek down the slope heading towards the vast valley. Once they began to stride down the hill, Akatosh realize the angle wasn't as steep as a pyramid. Assuming it was safe to slide down the hill he opens his magic bag pulling the thickest blanket like carpet.

"What are you doing?" Lila writes.

"Fun," Akatosh says laying the blanket as a sled.

Once he places the open blanket on the snow, he pulls the end of the front edge shaping a bumper. Picking the best line to roll, he calls Lila.

"You can join me if you want though I might be waiting for you at the foothill if I might be lucky," Akatosh says eager to run the thick blanket.

Lila hesitates, deciding her choices but, when Akatosh finally breaks his patience Lila joins the fun. Sitting at the rear, Akatosh quickly throttles his body sparking the run.

With an angle, less than 160 or 20 degrees they accelerate slower. Shouting his thrilling joy, Akatosh motion his body stirring the blanket.

Their playtime is short when they begin to enter the middle section. The soft comfy snow roughens. As bumps rocks start to hit hard Lila quickly wraps her feet at his waist avoiding the bumps. And to her overflowing fear, she nearly chokes Akatosh.

"I c-c-cen't breahhh." Akatosh says, taping Lila's arm.

Once she loosens, Akatosh looks for a safer line. And when their throbbing fear skyrocket Lila again squeezes his neck strangling Akatosh.

"CRAP-CRAP-CRAP-CRAP!"

Reaching near the foothill, their improvised sled turns to a raged blanket. Holes widen and Akatosh needs to end the fun before they hit the green vegetation.

Utilizing the claw gauntlet, he slowly anchors it on the ground, decreasing their speed. He could feel the rocks banging his hand as his arms rapidly dig the snow. Once their speed lowers to a sudden stop Akatosh lay sideways on the ground.

"You can let go of your arms," Akatosh says to Lila who's still in paranoia.

After she loosens her grip for more than a minute Akatosh gaze to where they both started. "Oof… I can't believe we just cross nearly a mile." Akatosh implores massaging and stretching his left shoulder.

When he turns around to face the vast valley a sentence slams to his face. "Don't ever do anything similar to that." Lila writes along with her angry face.

"Fine-fine-fine I won't," he replies rolling the blanket.

Putting back the shredded blanket while he hides it in Lila's eyes they continue to travel down the hill. Looking at the visible roads down to where they are walking Akatosh is on the lookout for wagons and other travelers. On the other hand, Lila was tasked as a radar for any incoming predators.

Hours of nonstop marching, they finally reach the road with no enemies to cut only animals and insects.

Akatosh sigh. "I need a motorcycle or a car."

"Then go buy a horse or steal one! I'll gladly help you to steal one, I'm tired of your snail walking." Amaragnum shouts.

Without even responding to the stillmage's word. "That's it. Damn, I miss riding a bicycle I should try making one though, I don't know how."

Little by little they are now on the edge of the kingdom. The 'Three Towers' of Mavigrid appear in their sight as they meet more and more houses and cottages.

"AHH! Finally, civilization." Akatosh exclaimed.

To his enthusiasm, they were halted at the gate. "Entrance fee? And papers?" Akatosh says to the guard.

"Didn't you hear me! I said fifteen silver pieces and as a traveler both you need to gain a passport at that building over there!" The guard shouts pointing towards the large two-story building.

Knowing how the gatekeeper is milking money out of travelers for demanding large amounts of coins. Akatosh thought it was useless to bribe this guy presuming he might raise his requisition.

Retreating back from the line he suddenly saw a man next to him showing some crest or symbol to the guards, it was an adventurer's crest. And at that moment he realizes the gold card he received from the lady. "Worth the shot." He thought slipping his hand into his shroud just like he did at the 'Merchants' Inn'.

After waiting for their turn. "What! You again." The guard stamps his foot.

"Is this good enough for you?" Akatosh reply showing him the gold-card sigil that of a lady holding a ship the size of her palm. There were also other symbols that Akatosh didn't have the slightest care to know the symbols of the merchant.

Upon his inspection. "Y-you must be the one madam Eletzi said." The guard says surprise.

"Yes, that's her." He lied not even knowing or asking who or what Eletzi is. Preventing a suspicion thus resulting in a direr complication.

The guard retorts the card to him then runs to the post-house. In his return, he gave Akatosh a sheet of paper-- a passport.

Akatosh chuckles, "Luck is on my side." He says after they've entered the city.

Just then the townsfolk begin striding towards the large harbor near the vast riverbank. He takes a closer look to see a large ship close to the size of an aircraft carrier.

The ship was ported as so too Akatosh and Lila was there to see a beautiful lady. Slowly marching with her arms at her back, and as quickly as a robot the people make a large path for her to walk.

The 'Queen of the Sea' has returned.