Compared to her flight the previous day, their progress felt excruciatingly slow. The higher load and the hefty winds caused the griffin to fly sluggishly through the mountainous terrain.

With every passing hour, Lidea grew more keenly aware of the barely conscious man strapped to her body. His presence reminding her that they couldn’t afford to stay out in the open that night. Without the protection of thick cavern walls, she was certain that he wouldn’t make it.

Therefore, she had no choice but to push until the last second of daylight, in the hope that they would reach the harbor.

Like so many times before, her hand found Crystal’s, who was still holding on to the ropes between her and Warchief. It took a moment, but then the woman grabbed her hand too and pinched it before returning her grip onto the rope. Assuring Lidea that she was doing alright.

They had agreed on this sign before they left. Knowing that the winds and the fact that Crystal couldn’t afford to remove her scarf for even a second would make it hard for them to communicate otherwise.

Looking ahead, she made Tayg’te turn to the opposite diagonal as she watched the final barrier of mountains appear. The sun hanging low in the sky behind her, as a salty ocean breeze filled her nose. Almost making her tear up in relief. They were going to make it to the ocean.

Petting the griffin's neck, she leaned back to let it ascend higher. Already feeling the air flow that crossed the mountain, trying to drag them back down.

The animal struggled, it was tired after flying non-stop for the whole day but Lidea was encouraged that it hadn’t tried to land as of yet.

“We are almost there…”

She whispered to the creature, even if her words were meaningless to it.

As they traversed these last mountains, a strong airwave pushed the griffin’s wings up, causing it to drift higher and Lidea swiftly directed it to gently dive down. Using the strong wind to its advantage, so it could glide with little effort.

She felt weightless as they descended rapidly. Her ears popped and her stomach filled with butterflies as they dropped from the very roof of Asmeon all the way down to its base.

Excitement filled her as she eyed the coastline beneath.

Wild waves breached against the rocks, frothing as they carved away the mountain mass. Leaving remnants of past land in the form of lone jagged pillars, and grand arches, until all was swallowed by the vast spread of the ocean, beyond.

Pools of seawater had collected into the hollows and crevices, reflecting the sunset sky above and softening the unforgiving and harsh landscape.

It was beautiful, but Lidea couldn’t help but feel discouraged as she saw nothing that would indicate the presence of a harbor.

A wave of anxiety threatened to fill her when her eyes fell on an unusual mountain. One single sharp peak with sharp inclines that reached higher into the sky than the others around it. Its distinctive shape immediately conjured up a name within her mind.

The Spear.

Elated, she remembered how it had been one of the most important milestones for sailors, as its base marked the location of the hidden harbor.

We made it.

She couldn’t believe that her navigation had been this accurate. Another miracle.

It almost made her reconsider the reality of gods. If they did exist, then they must have been looking at them favorably.

As she kept an eye on the airflows around her, she let Tayg’te follow the coastline until Crystal started tapping her side urgently.

Concerned she looked over her shoulder, unable to see the smaller woman behind Warchief, but then she noticed her arm hand pointing down at the coast.

Lidea followed her finger only to see nothing, but she decided to trust the woman’s inhuman sight and started to let the griffin descend lower.

Its flight became erratic as the irregular strong winds pushed them around like they were a simple leaf.

The griffin squawked defiantly, trying to ascend again and Lidea was about to let it when her eyes landed on a brown wooden structure. Leftover pieces of yellow paint made it stand out in a landscape of almost black rock. It had a single point, letting Lidea know she was supposed to go ahead.

“Hold on Tay..”

Her heartbeat rushed as she focused on the airwaves to descend as low as she dared and follow the beacon. Quickly finding another one, and another. Each pointed up until she came across one with a flat top and a point to the left where the mouth of a cave opened into the mountain’s flank.

The griffin protested again as Lidea tried to send it inside, its instincts fighting against her knowledge. Frustrated, Lidea bit her lip as she kept signaling the griffin to go. Hoping for it to trust its very green rider just this once.

Her persistence paid off when it finally relented and they dove in.

Entering the darkness, Lidea’s heartbeat was in her throat as she could discern nothing but the ear-deafening roar of the waves around her.

Suddenly, little orange flames flickered to life at several places along the tunnel. Leading their way further in until it opened up to a giant cavern reminiscent of the one that sheltered them in Lynoës.

Seven feet above the water, a rocky ledge extended along one side of the cavern, upon which several wooden huts stood. They looked dilapidated but still functioning, their exterior blending seamlessly with the stone surroundings.

In front of the ledge, a wooden dock extended into a serene pool of water. One just large enough to accommodate two smaller boats.

It was protected from the relentless waves outside by strategically placed stone breakwaters. Creating a safe harbor for those in need.

Without waiting for her command, Tayg’te descended and landed easily on the ledge. Clearly having understood that this was to be their destination.

“We made it…”

Crystal said incredulously as Lidea started unstrapping Warchief from herself.

“Of course we did. I told you we would.”

Her jewel gaze stared at her with disbelief before she shook her head with a gentle smile.

“You sound like Warchief.”

Lidea merely grinned as she made sure that Crystal kept a hold on the man before sliding off the griffin’s back.

“One of us has to be optimistic. But I will gladly return that task to him when he is better.”

Tears welled up in the healer’s eyes. Only now believing that there was indeed a chance that he would recover.

Her happiness touched Lidea’s soul, and she was glad that she wouldn’t need to say goodbye to him.

Now that they had reached their goal, there was no doubt in Lidea’s mind that he would heal.

Together they managed to lift him off the griffin, and as Crystal jumped down, she could see the woman’s body shaking either due to the aftershock of freight or due to exhaustion.

“I’m sweating.”

Crystal swiped her forehead before shedding off her outer jacket.

The freezing temperatures that they had endured for months had disappeared as snow for the sun, and instead, they were surrounded by a sweltering warmth. The nearby ocean causing the humidity to spike and a strong breeze of warm air to enter the cavern.

Normally Lidea would have hated such conditions, but now she closed her eyes and gave herself a moment to enjoy the feeling of her body warming up.

Grabbing a piece of meat from their pack, she threw it to the griffin who had laid itself down to rest.

Then she focused on peeling off all the unnecessary layers of clothing off Warchief. Giving his skin space to breathe.

In the meantime Crystal inspected the area, returning with a couple of bags.

“There are supplies here and they look in good condition. I’m sure they won’t mind if we use some. What do you think of fish tonight? I desperately need something decent to eat after the drab we have had these past months.”

Checking the bags, Lidea could see that they were filled with rice, grains, and long-storing root vegetables.

The implications of seeing the fresh produce filled her with triumphant joy which was reflected by Crystal’s toothy grin.

“Sounds amazing. I will get a fire going. Just don’t stay out too long.”

Lidea had noticed how the healer had been eying the water and knew that she had to be desperate for a swim.

Crystal grinned cheerfully as she started to strip naked.

“I will try, but I’m not promising anything. It has been far too long.”

Lidea smiled as she playfully jumped into the water. The gems on her body sparkled in the orange light of the fire.

“You just promised me fresh fish. Get me the food and in turn I will let you be off for as long as you wish.”

The healer started giggling, her laughter sounding like bells as she responded.

“That is reasonable I suppose. See you soon.”

With those words, she disappeared under the surface. Leaving Lidea to prepare their temporary camp.

Because of the warmth and the fact that they were staying underground, Lidea decided to forego setting up tents. Instead, she gathered all the blankets and unnecessary pieces of clothing, to create three comfortable sleeping spots. Carefully moving Warchief onto one after she was done.

Looking through the surrounding structures, she found enough dry wood to create a small campfire, as well as several containers of stale-tasting water.

Glancing at the resting griffin, she considered ascending once again to collect snow from the mountains to create more fresh water. Only to decide against it, soon after.

If she had learned one thing from their time in the Vazul’Kar, then it was that you always needed far more snow than you would imagine to create enough drinking water.

There was no way that she would be able to carry enough down. Besides, Lidea wasn’t sure if the griffin would even return once it had ascended back up.

She had a sneaking suspicion that it would ignore any of her commands, too antsy to return home to its herd and usual rider.

Instead, she found the water-converting bottle in Crystal’s bag, which had been of much use during their journey through Durgh’Ras.

Feeling it was completely full, she emptied one of the stale canisters into a pot to boil. Filling the now empty container with the freshly made water, and therefore allowing the magic to reactivate and start converting the air once more.

The crystal on the bottle glowed faintly, reminding Lidea that its magic supply had to be running low.

She would need to ask Crystal to resupply it.

While the water heated up, Lidea looked through the bags of vegetables and grabbed one of her daggers to start cutting and peeling some. Throwing them into the pot after the water had bubbled for a while. Crystal had even found some spices, which Lidea sprinkled liberally into the water.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Eager to let the soup drive away the memory of the bland-tasting Vazul stews.

As promised, the healer came back soon and they shared the fresh fish which they fried on the fire. Even the griffin got some and it chirped happily before promptly falling asleep now that its stomach had been filled.

Yawning, Lidea decided to follow its example. Feeling exhausted after their long and stressful flight.

Lying down on her side, she could see Crystal sitting on the other side of the fire. Her jewel eyes strained on Warchief’s sleeping figure.

“I can’t believe that we survived the Godly Range. For the future though, let’s promise to never do that again.”

She was dead serious, but Lidea couldn’t keep herself from laughing.

Sharing the dread of this experience, but also feeling strangely proud of the accomplishment.

After all, how many could claim that they had traversed the roof of the continent?

Her younger self would have never predicted managing a feat like this.

“Deal.”

She could see a smile creep on the healer’s face before her eyes fell closed.

“I keep you to that. Together we should be able to stop that fool too.”

Crystal spend most of their days out in the water. Clearly having missed the ocean dearly.

Lidea wished that she could do the same.

After Tayg’te had left, she found herself locked in the cavern with nothing to do but accompany Warchief who slept soundlessly.

She found refuge in cooking all sorts of meals. Knowing that all three of them could stand to gain some weight after their journey.

Although she didn’t go overboard either. Not wanting to waste supplies and risk pissing off whoever owns them. Especially as they were probably their only way out of here. Hopefully, they wouldn’t leave them waiting for too much longer.

A sweet aroma filled her nose, as the clams she had collected from around the harbor, started searing within their own shell. Her mouth watered as she could already imagine biting into the sweet meat that she had spiced with some ginger and pepper.

“Smells… good...”

The words were barely audible, but Lidea whipped her head to Warchief. Seeing his eyes were open, and meeting his familiar brown gaze which looked far less hazy than it had been in ages.

Emotion thickened her throat but she managed to whisper softly.

“You are awake…”

Hurriedly, she crawled to sit next to him. His face looked gaunt, with fallen-in cheeks and greyish skin, but his eyes followed her motions attentively.

He had made it.

His lips cracked into a faint smile and his eyes sparkled with amusement as he asked.

“Upset that you didn’t get rid of me?”

Lidea had to ball her fist to prevent herself from knocking some sense into him. Not finding it particularly funny at that moment.

Yet she didn’t reprimand him either, finding herself too happy to hear his voice even if he was being an idiot.

She closed her eyes momentarily, letting the wave of relief flood over her before she opened them again and met his worried gaze with a teary smile.

“Welcome back. I hope you had a good sleep.”

His eyes followed a single tear that welled from the corner of her eye and rolled down her cheek.

Noticing its presence, Lidea turned her back to him and wiped her eyes as she removed the scallops from the fire.

“You woke just in time. Hope you don’t mind some seafood.”

Normally it wasn’t his food of choice, but his stomach growled loudly. Letting Lidea know that he would eat about anything now.

“I will take that as a yes.”

He grinned playfully as she helped him sit up a bit higher. Using her own bedding to support him.

“I am starving. How long was I out for?”

His voice sounded dry and Lidea helped him take a sip of water as the scallop cooled. Putting the shell to his lips after, and letting the meat gently enter his mouth.

Making sure that he didn’t choke on it, as she replied.

“I guess a couple of weeks. It is hard to estimate time inside of here.”

He frowned as he glanced around but didn’t ask anything, too focused on devouring another three scallops before refusing the fourth with a satisfied sigh.

“Those were the best I ever had.”

“That is a lofty praise coming from you. Didn’t you say that I was the worst cook you had ever met?”

He chuckled which ended in a dry fit of coughing which worried Lidea until he waved her concerns away with a grin.

“All fine. I am not dying yet. And yes, you were and probably still are horrendous. Either you managed to learn a thing or two from us, or I was just too hungry to care.”

Lidea didn’t take any offense. Well aware of her shortcomings. Even amongst her old army, the men had never allowed her to cook out of fear of her wasting their precious meal. The memory reminded her of how long it had been since she had reminisced about those men that she had once considered her family.

A hint of guilt filled her but was swiftly replaced by a rational understanding.

So much had happened since they left Lynoës. She simply had little time to be preoccupied with the past.

“Be happy that I’m feeding you.”

“Ow, I am, prickly princess.”

He eyed the structures behind her, and Lidea looked on as he puzzled the clues of their surroundings together.

“We made it to the hidden harbor?”

He asked carefully. Hope and astonishment were barely contained in his voice.

Warchief’s excitement was contagious, and she smiled as she nodded.

“What do you still remember?”

Her question caused him to squint his eyes as if he had to physically focus on something to find the answer.

“We got caught in a storm?”

Lidea had suspected that he hadn’t been conscious as he had babbled away during their stay with the Vazul, but that answer confirmed it for her.

“Yes. We were rescued by the Vazul. We stayed with them for around a week, so they could teach me how to fly. Then the three of us came here using a griffin.”

His eyes widened as he stared at her with wonder in his eyes.

“Griffins? And you are saying we flew one here!? I can’t believe I missed all of that.”

You were busy dying…

She didn’t speak out loud. Not wanting to let Warchief know, just how close his brush with death had been.

The sound of rushing water followed by hastened footsteps, alerted her that Crystal had returned.

The woman ran to them and nearly fell in her haste to hug Warchief. Tears in her eyes as she started yelling.

“You asshole! What took you so long to wake up!?”

Warchief grinned apologetically as he tried to get Crystal to loosen her grip just a little bit.

“Sorry, sorry! You know that I live to make your life difficult!”

“You impossible …!”

As Crystal was about to burst into another series of expletives, Lidea ticked on her shoulder and pulled her away from the man.

“You are getting him wet. What do we do if he catches another chill?”

Her calm reasoning reached the healer who flushed in embarrassment until Warchief decided to fan the flames.

“Thank you, our noble prickly princess, for saving me from this brute!”

Both women glared at Warchief who simply grinned when faced with their irritation.

“Don’t thank me yet. I will gladly help Crystal pin you down after you are back to your usual strength.”

She had trouble hiding her grin and turned herself away from Warchief to retrieve the items that Crystal had carelessly thrown to the ground.

“Two against one isn’t fair!”

How can one man be this loud?

Despite Warchief’s lively attitude, it took a while for his body to regain a fraction of its strength.

With his ravenous appetite, he soon started to look less emaciated and after a couple of days, he could walk on his own two feet. Be it very wobbly.

Yet it was clear that it would be long before he could recover his normal vigor.

Not surprising, as he had already been weakened by the wounds he suffered in Durgh’Ras. Their journey through the Vazul’Kar had only exacerbated his condition.

He needed to rest properly and allow his body time to restore itself.

If only they had been at the order already, or anywhere else but in this cave.

“You will have wrinkles before long if you keep frowning like that.”

Seeing Warchief staring intensely at her face, made her feel shy but Lidea ignored it as she quipped back.

“A couple of wrinkles aren’t going to ruin my face any further.”

Her serious response startled him, as she could see his eyes flicker to her scars.

She could see a hint of regret in his eyes and knew that he was about to apologize, but she stopped him before he could.

“I was worrying about you. Your body could use a proper bed and some sunshine.”

Her words seemed to have stunned him for a second time, and she wondered why. Had he not expected her to be concerned for his well-being?

“I will be alright. There is no need for you to break your pretty head about that.”

He spoke with a bright warm smile before rubbing his hand roughly through her hair.

“But I feel flattered that my condition bothers you so much that you even risk wrinkles!”

Pulling her head away, she only rolled her eyes. Not having a chance to respond when Crystal resurfaced and started shouting.

“A ship is coming!”

Lidea shared a look with Warchief, immediately getting to her feet to stare at the cavern’s entrance.

The tide was high, so no ship should be able to enter. But just as she was about to tell Crystal, an unnatural wave of water was pushed from the flooded entrance, followed by a grand three-masted ship.

As the wave dissipated, Lidea could see a woman standing at the vessel's bow. Her dark blue eyes glowed and her brown curls waved wildly due to the surrounding energy.

A magician.

The woman disappeared from view as the ship slowly drifted towards the dock.

Now being near enough, Lidea could see that some of the crew had already noticed their presence. More to the back a different woman stood at the helm.

She had short flaming red hair and emerald green eyes that observed them meticulously. Her clothing looked far too neat compared to the others on the ship, and on her shoulder, Lidea could discern six metal stars that had been sewn onto the breast pocket of her jacket.

Six, not five.

Telling her that this woman was not only a captain but one of the best in her trade.

“Seems like our ride has appeared.”

Warchief remarked in a sing-songy tone, grinning even as the crew dropped down a gangway and started disembarking.

“It is rare to see people in the hidden harbor! Are you a sea demon? I knew I saw one out there!”

The magician almost skipped their way, her brilliant smile and gleaming eyes, making her appear even more gorgeous than before as she eagerly grabbed Crystal’s hands.

In turn, the healer flushed timidly as she pulled back. Not used to strangers touching her with no problem.

“Noud, what did I tell you about rushing up to strangers?”

The captain sounded exasperated as she sauntered their way. Unbothered by what her magician was up to.

Unlike the magician's prettiness, the captain wouldn’t be found conventionally attractive. Even taller than Lidea, her features were all sharp angles and as she noticed Lidea’s regard, the woman grinned a sharp toothy grin that seemed almost predatory.

“Sorry An, I have just never seen a sea demon before! Look how pretty she is!”

The captain’s harsh green eyes warmed as they glanced at the magician, before focusing on the strangers in front of her.

“Hope you can forgive my companion. She gets easily excited. My name is Annemarije De Ridder, I’m Captain of the Zuidster behind us.”

Lidea looked back at the ship. Impressed that a woman in her end thirties would have climbed up to the highest rank of seafarers and would helm a magnificent ship like that.

“Nice to meet you, Captain. We are very glad to see you. My name is Warren, but I go by my title of Warchief. Beside me are my two companions, Lidea Valkyrea of Lynoës and the sea demon Crystal. We were hoping for you to take us to where we need to go.”

Per usual, Warchief had easily taken the lead. Giving a fake name without blinking twice. However, as soon as he opened his mouth, the woman had already started to frown. Her face only turned more stormy as he continued.

“Though I would love to help you. I fear that we don’t take uninvited guests to where we are heading.”

Her refusal was firm and as Warchief continued to try and convince her, Lidea walked over to where her jacket lay discarded under her bedroll.

“I assume your destination is the Dragon Order? It is where we are hoping to go too.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about!”

As the captain glared at Warchief, the magician’s gaze followed Lidea when she returned with what had once been a neatly folded letter, but what had now become crinkled and covered in dirt.

Lidea laid a hand on Warchief’s shoulder, before offering the letter to the captain.

“As Warchief said, my name is Lidea Valkyrea. I am a candidate rider and am trying to reach the order. That letter was written by my great uncle for my mother. As you can see, we know this is the way to the Dragon Order, due to him. We have traveled from Lynoës, through the orc-infested lands of Durgh’Ras, and crossed the mountains of the Godly Range. Found the Vazul, and flew down here to the hidden harbor on a griffin’s back. We did all that to reach the order. I hope you understand that I won’t take no for an answer.”

Her words were firm, her cold seething anger growing as she went on. She was so sick and tired of all these obstacles on their way and had no patience left to deal with a Nausican captain trying to protect her contract.

“Consider that our invitation and bring us there. They can judge if we speak the truth or if we are a threat. It would be easy to dispose of us, even after we arrive.”

Having spoken, a silence fell over them as the captain read over the letter. Almost musical laughter rang through the air as the magician broke their standoff.

“That was so hot!”

Of all the things, she had expected to come rolling out of her mouth. That hadn’t been on the list.

The captain glanced from her companion to Lidea, her mouth twitching as if she couldn’t choose between being angry or amused.

Crystal didn’t share her hesitation as she started laughing before adding fuel to the fire.

“Wait until you see her handle her sword. True eye candy.”

The magician’s innocent eyes seemed to grow bigger as she stared at Lidea. Probably trying to imagine it.

Lidea felt uncomfortable as she was eyed by the two women. Coming from a prudish society that did not tolerate same-sex attraction, this was a very new experience for her. It was clear that the magician looked at her with more than just friendly interest, and based on the jealous glare that the captain sent Lidea’s way, the two of them were more than just friends or colleagues.

“Please let them come with us, An? I want to see you two duel. An never loses, you see!”

The wide-eyed magician almost bounced as she looked at the captain with pleading eyes.

Her begging only caused the captain to study Lidea closer, making her discomfort grow until Warchief stepped in front of her. Shielding Lidea from her gaze.

“I assume this means that you indeed sail for the order. As Lidea stated, we have gone through a lot to reach them. I hope you will consider taking us. We aren’t afraid to dirty our hands and help out during the trip.”

All eyes were directed at the captain. Waiting for her decision until she finally sighed.

“That was a given. I don’t tolerate freeloaders on my ship. Just keep in mind that my involvement ends once we arrive in the order. No matter what they decide to do with you.”

“That is plenty. Thank you.”

Warchief sounded relieved and Lidea could see the tension release from his shoulders. A hint of amusement filtered through his words as he continued.

“Maybe we can also please the other lady. You see, I am normally the lady’s sparring partner but am not capable of doing so in my current state. If you are as good as the lady states then it would be a great solution.”

Lidea almost hit him in the shoulder. Not wanting to squander any of the goodwill they had just gained, but halted when hearing the captain’s response.

“That would be great.”