Below the high hill of the forest, was a large city of brick and stone overlooking the sea. The water glistened a beautiful blue-green, sparkling with golden sunlight.

“Is this it?” Collin asked Breven. 

“We made it,” Breven sighed, smiling down at the map. “We cross the sea and then we will be one step closer to reaching the Oracle.”

“But while we are here,” Animus began, walking ahead of them. “We might as well indulge in the city’s splendor.”

“We don’t have time. The Knights may already be-” Collin began. 

“I agree with Animus,” Breven said firmly. “We’ve been traveling for quite some time now. Might as well find a place to rest our feet.”

Kace noticed the anxious look on Collin’s face and gave him an encouraging smile. 

“It will only be for the day. Then we will find a ship and set sail before dawn,” he reassured. 

“Alright,” Collin sighed, his nerves momentarily relaxing.

The city’s buildings towered above the cobbled streets, skimming the sky. There were many shops with large windows to peek into, filled with all sorts of goods. Carriages rattled down the street, led by horses or elk. At the end of the central road was a clocktower with a golden roof. 

Animus caught Polly staring into a gown shop, her eyes enamored with a frilly, honey-yellow dress. 

“Would you like to go inside?” Animus asked. 

“Perhaps…” Polly said shyly. 

“Boys~” Animus called, waving leisurely. “Polly and I are going to try on some gowns,” they said. 

“Let’s meet up at the clock tower by sun-down!” Kace called back. 

“While those two are away, let’s get you a weapon,” Breven said to Collin. 

“Weapon?” Collin stammered. 

“You’ll need something to defend yourself with, especially if you find yourself in a situation where Raz isn't at your disposal,” Breven explained. “I know a place near here with the best swords in the country.” he laughed, grabbing Collin’s hand. 

. . .

They came across a low stone hut with circular windows lit with an orange glow. Breven kicked open the door, walking inside. A large iron furnace burned in the corner, radiating a blazing heat. In the center was a dwarven woman working at an anvil. She had long auburn hair that grew down into a braided beard. Her ears were pierced with silver rings and studs. A pair of leather goggles was strapped over her head, protecting her eyes from the embers radiating from the blazing sword she was forging. 

“Breven!” she bellowed happily, hammering the red-hot sword. “It’s been too long, my dear friend. Have you broken yet another sword?”

“No, my sword remains as true as ever,” Breven laughed. 

“Breven used to break so many swords, that I had to find a new way of makin’ em’!” the dwarf explained to Collin and Kace, walking toward them while wiping off her hands with a rag. 

“You two do not yet know the tale of Gara!” Breven said, taking out his sword and holding it flat against his palms. “When I was a Knight, Gara was a real wolf of flesh and bone. She aided me during several of my battles. But one day she was severely injured while my back had been turned…”

“...Gara was far too gone to survive, but I proposed a way to keep her by Breven’s side.” the dwarf continued. “There’s a rare metal called animald with the power to be embedded with souls. Many cursed artifacts are products of animald. I happened to have a small amount on hand when Breven came to me with Gara. And I was able to transfer her soul into the sword.”

“That’s amazing,” Collin whispered with awe. “Animald…it couldn’t un-bond someone, could it?”

The dwarf glared up at him with a grave look. She picked up the sword off the anvil with her gloved hand and plunged it into a cauldron filled with water. The metal hissed as it hit the water, its glow slowly fading. 

“Bonding is serious business. It goes against the natural order.” the dwarf explained. “That type of magic cannot be undone.”

Collin swallowed, but the lump in his throat refused to budge. 

“My name is Rook,” she said. “And I would advise you to keep your nose outta this bonding nonsense.” 

“We came looking for a sword,” Breven said, diverting the conversation. 

“I know,” Rook sighed, taking the sword out from the water. “I had a hunch you’d be coming into my shop today.” She walked over to Collin and held out the sword toward him. It was a thin, silver blade with a woven leather handle. A pair of dragon wings were engraved into the pommel at the base of the sword. 

“Fight with honor-” Rook bgean, looking up at Breven. 

“-or do not fight at all.” Breven finished. 

Collin carefully sheathed the sword and strapped it across his back. 

“Thank you,” Collin said politely. “How much?”

“For a friend of Breven’s, it’s free.” Rook said, returning to her anvil. 

. . .

Animus walked alongside Polly, snacking from an elegant box of chocolates. Polly had bought herself the gown she had been eyeing in the window. Animus had helped with the accessories, buying her a brown waist belt and a pair of pressed flower earrings.

“I don’t think I’ve ever felt so pretty before,” Polly said softly, shyly pinching the sides of her dress. 

“It’s good to remind yourself how beautiful you really are once in a while.” Animus said, tossing another chocolate into their mouth. “I do it daily.”

A child walking with their mother suddenly tripped on the brick road, falling hard onto their knees. They sobbed loudly, refusing to listen to the soothing reassurance of their mother. 

Polly stepped forward and knelt to the child’s level. She took out her wand, tapping her palm. The child watched intently, tears clinging to the corner of their eyes. Suddenly, a gorgeous bouquet erupted from Polly’s hand. She handed the bouquet to the child who burst with ecstatic laughter. 

“Mommy! Mommy! Aren’t they beautiful!” the child said gleefully. 

“And what do you say to the kind witch?” the mother asked.

“Thank you!” the child yelled. 

Polly stood and watched as the mother and child walked back down the street.

. . .

When Collin, Breven, and Kace walked out of the Blacksmith’s shop, they were greeted with music. An elven bard was playing an upbeat tune, while people danced in the streets around him. 

“This reminds me of the night we first met,” Kace hummed warmly. He turned to Collin and extended his hand. 

“Aren’t you afraid people will stare?” Collin stuttered. 

“Let them,” Kace said firmly. Collin cracked an awkward smile and took hold of Kace’s hand. They danced gracefully together, completely in sync with each other’s movements. 

“Where did you learn to dance?” Collin asked as they swayed. 

“My mother taught me when I was young,” Kace explained.

“My sister used to teach me. She loved to dance in the flower garden.” Collin explained. 

As the music reached its crescendo, Kace scooped Collin down into a dip. The crowd cheered and clapped; without realizing it, they had become the center of attention. Breven roared louder than anyone else, hollering with his fist in the air. 

Collin got to his feet, blushing. Kace took hold of his hand and led him into a bow. The crowd applauded once more. 

“Well, you were right about them staring.” Kace chuckled as they walked away. “But I’m sure it wasn’t the staring you expected.” 

“Certainly not.” Collin chuckled back. 

The sky was starting to fade into a pinkish-purple as the sun retracted behind the buildings. 

“Sun-down. We should start making our way to the clock tower.” Kace said, slightly saddened. 

“Why don’t you two go on ahead? I forgot something at the shop.” Breven said, giving Collin a quick wink. 

“Guess we should go wait for the others then…” Kace said, walking off toward the tower. 

“I suppose so,” Collin mumbled, his face burning pink.