Millicent offers her hand to me. I graciously accept. Stumbling at first and finally able to get on my feet.

The adrenaline leaves my body, and I suddenly feel drowsy.

   “Thank you,” I murmur and Millicent pats my shoulder in regard.

   “Now, Harlow,” Millicent begins, and Harlow straightens her posture. “Takes this young lady to the castle. I’m sure the king can help us,” Harlow nods.

   “You can count on me,” he agrees and nods at me.

We begin our journey back through the city. The golem only destroyed a small portion, and for that I am thankful.

Harlow couldn't help but ask questions about my origins. I answer them to the best of my ability, as I don’t know all the answers myself.

   “Here we are,” Harlow announces at the bottom of the staircase.

My jaw drops, eyes widen. I take a deep breath in, trying to take all at once.

The staircase is carefully carved stone, connecting the two pieces of land together. Many years of erosion have caused this odd, beautiful anomaly in the mountain. I dare to look down and be met with white clouds.

How high are we?

Water flows on either side of the stone stairs in carved channels, flowing into the kingdom. A magnificent castle carefully engraved from the peak of the mountain, to create such mastery of architecture and craftsmanship. Stone dragons stand proudly on the castle spires, windows stained with beautiful colours of reds, oranges and yellows. Feeling as if the sun is always setting or rising.

I push. Further, my curiosity, my eagerness to learn about this world, only grows as I near the top.

Orc guards greet Harlow and I and open the large stone doors.

My attention to the doors open is short-lived as I notice the water is leaving the castle itself.

Inside are stone pathways carved and placed in the centre of the grand hall, all branch out to different doors and paths, away from the water. The water crystal clear and species of fish and plant life live in the grand hall. At the end of the grand hall is a small island surrounded by water. An enormous tree stands proudly in the centre, a skylight crafted especially for the sun to shine upon the tree. Two thrones are carved into the base of the wood. Both are empty.

“So, the king built on top of a mountain and a lake?” I ask Harlow. He nods and keeps walking to the throne.

Upon closer inspection, I begin to notice the tree has a faint glow to it. As if it’s pulsating light or energy of some sorts. Unknowingly getting closer, I touch the base of the tree and feel its warmth pulse through me.

   “Never seen a Vitae tree before?” Harlow asks gruffly, sitting on the grass and straightening the creases of his dress.

   “Vitae tree?” I ask my voice slightly going higher in pitch.

   “Aye, the root of this world's magic. Every world has one. Without it, this world wouldn’t even be here, let alone the magiqs having any powers.” he explains lazily.  “They’re incredibly hard to find–well except this one,” he chortles, pointing to the tree. “But don’t you worry, the king is a good man and has sworn to protect this tree and the kingdom.” he adds, sitting comfortably on the grass.

   “How did this Kingdom come to be? It's just -.”

   “Unusual,” Harlow finishes my sentence, and I nod. He chuckles again and pats the grass, insisting I sit next to him. “The king is the first to treck up this wretched mountain,” he begins. “It’s not a straightforward path, or so I’ve heard. Falling rocks, crumbling paths, dense forests. You think it would be impossible for anything to grow on something so steep, but nature proves you otherwise,” Harlow laughs and looks up at the glowing tree.

   “Terrifying beasts live in their too, one with wings that breathe fire. Our knights are a rare few who are born to tame them, but most are wild.” A dragon just flew above the skylight as Harlow describes the creatures. “He is a creature who longed to find a place to call home. Travelling to the highest point, finding this cave with this tree, he stayed. Unbeknownst to the world, slowly carved into the stone, refining his skills over time.” Harlow pauses for a moment, a smile forms on his lips. “Apparently it was a drab-looking home, as he explains, but a good effort,” Harlow laughs. “The king even made one of those scaley dragons as his friend.” he laughs even more.

   “How did everyone find this place?”

   “A war, a big one. Every kingdom fought one another and those who did not fight, fled. Heading up the mountain. Even vampires. They were surprised to know someone was living on this mountain carving into the rocks. The dragon didn’t like them too much, but with a bit of convincing, they all stayed and helped him,” he explains, nodding to himself. “Vampires do drink blood, but they’re only monsters to those they don’t care about. Contradictory, yes, but a vampire loyalty is the best loyalty to have,” Harlow finishes, looking on the other side of the lake. “I hope this answers your questions,” he finishes, and I nod.

I stare at the water, watching little waves rippling on the surface. The giant fish swimming beneath the surface, following the maids and soldiers walk along the stone paths. “Whelp time to get moving we have to meet with the advisor.” Harlow hops up, he gives me his hand and hoists me up. Follow him to the other side of the lake, careful to not slip on the moss.

The guards marching through the halls stand on either side as Harlow and I approach, saluting the feminine dwarf and continue their parole as we pass.

A hall filled with beautiful light, arched stone windows, open and bare to the elements. An endless sea of clouds and clear blue sky as the sun shines above. Harlow grabs my hand and leads up the spiral staircase, deeper within the mountain carved castle. To a closed off hall and wooden doors. Yelling can be heard from within. Both speaking in a language I do not recognise.

Harlow puts out his arm, halting me in place as if he knew the doors would open up in a burst. An elf marches out from them muttering in the unknown language, he smells oddly of strawberries, white dreadlocks weaved and plated in a long braid, clothes baggy and loose. Harlow smiles at the elf.

“Disagreement with ya pops, Fiore?”

“Don’t even talk to me. I’ve already had to deal with one stubborn arsehole!” he shouts loudly enough for the other elf to hear it. “I’ll be in my room.” He storms off down the stairs.

Harlow watches with a smile before entering the room, he gives a light know on the wooden frame to announce our presence. The room is filled with book cases, all aligned perfectly side by side on either end of the room, book and tomes, clean and not a speck of dust lay on the covers. A purple carpet leading to the centre of the room, a wooden desk, carved from beautiful dark oak and windows spanning along the back, showing off the mountain view.

The elf sitting at his desk, scribbling furiously with a inked quill, holding his head looks up. The man shares the same similar features as Fiore, but hair white, straight and flows over his shoulders like silk, clothes in silk, embroider in gold and blues.

“Harlow.” He greets but his eyes look to me, noticing my clothes and lips thin to a line. “I see you have brought an outsider, thank you. I shall get the paperwork in order.”

“Paperwork?” my voice hardens a little, eyebrow raised.

“Nothing to take insult too, this is just standard for anyone who visits our kingdom from the outside world. If you were to visit the kingdoms below on the continent they would kill you on the spot for your otherworldly appearance. Be thankful that you landed here instead, this kingdom is the only one to know of the other worlds” I shoot daggers at the elf. I can see why Fiore doesn’t take kindly to his father. “How long do you plan to stay in our kingdom?”

“I’m just passing through.” The elf raises his head, and his brow as he looks over me once more.

“I see, then a I shall give you a three-day pass. If you need to stay longer, please come see me and I shall extend it.” he rises from seat and grabs a small book, matching the others on a singular shelf to the wall. He comes over with the parchment in hand and hands it to me. “This book will give you an overview of our laws and culture here, we expect you to follow them.” I keep my mouth shut and slowly reach for the book and permission slip.

With a clenched jaw I mutter one word. “Thanks.”

The elf nods and returns to his desk and goes back to the what he was doing.

“Now that’s sorted!” Harlow announces himself and grabs my arm. Leading me out of the office. “Lets get you some new clothes, one suited for our world.”

“Is he always like this?” I ask, looking through the book, trying not to trip down the spiral staircase.

“Hmm, oh sure, that’s him on a good day. If the king were here, he wouldn’t have bothered with the passes.” I look to the dwarf. My lips thinning into a line as well as frustration creeps in.

“I think I would have talked to the king.”

“Oh, I would have brought you to him but he’s not here right now.”

“Where is he?”

“The King, Queen and prince are tending to some coven matters in another world.”

“Not gonna lie, I find it odd that this kingdom is also ruled by vampires.” Harlow just shrugs.

“Aye. Some do, some don’t care. They’re good rulers, as long as they are fed, the don’t care how the place is handled but when we’re in danger, they’ll lay there lives down for this place.”

I look away from the dwarf, feeling the insecurity creeping in. The weight of those words seem to lay heavy on chest, deep down I know he is telling the truth.

Harlow leads me up another set of stairs, winding up and within the carved mountain, to an endless hall of doors. He leads me through with confidence, as I continue on feeling small, and overwhelmed. How does no one get lost in this warren. Harlow stops near at the end of hall, another set of spiral staircases, one leading up higher, another back down to the main hall of the court.

Clearing his throat, Harlow knocks on the door and the response is met with a loud explosion. I jump back but the dwarf remains in his spot, waiting. The door opens, and black smoke escapes through the crack. Another elf pokes head through the gap, fiery red hair, face covered in black ash. He coughs a little before speaking. “Harlow! You ruined my experiment!”

“Azar, working on the flamethrower I see?” the elf glares at the dwarf.

“What do you want? I’m busy.”

“Do you have those clothes you’re not wearing anymore? I have a feeling they will fit lass over here.” The elf looks to me, blue orbs staring into my soul before looking back at the dwarf.

“No, like I said I am busy.”

“Oh? That’s a shame, I might let the head miner know where the missing gun powder barrels went.” Azar shoots daggers at Harlow, opening the door wider. Peering in, I can see a large wooden barrel, labelled gun powder.

“You wouldn’t.” I see the dwarf give him a wide sweet grin, one challenging him. As if it was his way of saying ‘try me.’

Azar sighs, and moves out of the way, letting both Harlow and I in. The elf’s room is filled with mechanical pieces, tools and dried oil splatters along the floor and somehow even managed to get on the walls and . . .  roof? The beg also has scattered pieces of cogs and screws, with some tools on the covers. The large barrel of gun powder sits next to his desk and the machine he had been working, is currently in poor shape after the recent explosion.

“Right, those clothes.”

“You could have gone to anyone else, why me?” he grumbles.

“You’ve visited the other worlds for your tools, and odd contraptions, I know you have outfits that blends well for this world and the next.” The elf scrunches his face, muttering to himself and stomps over to his wardrobe. He haphazardly throws clothes around, I dodge the clothes throw towards me and watch others fly by my head. Azar turns to me and thrusted the clothes into my arms.

“Here, these will suit you best.” He stomps over to the wooden divider and gesutres me to it.

I keep the clothes close to me and slowly approach. He rolls his eyes and pulls me in and pulls back the divider.

I take a deep breath, settling myself in this situation. Adjusting to the idea I am in another, one so far away from what I am used. I expected dystopian or other worlds filled with different timelines but a world of fantasy, I feel like I ended up in a campaign module, half expecting a rag tag team of adventurers causing well intended chaos.

I being the ritual of undressing my normal clothes, looking over the damaged fabric and stains of blood and dirt, I really like I’ve been through a war.

I look over myself in the standing mirror. Admiring the choice of clothes Azar picked out, the elf has good tastes and surprisingly it fit me well.

The top is a charcoal mock-neck clings to my ribs and shoulders, clean, unbranded, cut for movement. The fabric doesn’t wrinkle or snag. I shove the sleeves up to my forearms out of habit.

Over it, a sleeveless longline coat drops to mid-thigh, matte black and structured, the collar framing my neck. From a distance it reads modern, but the shape carries the memory of something older. A traveler’s mantle. Something made to be worn through the modern age, to a world of fantasy, I can see why Harlow came to Azar.

My pants are practical without being bulky, black cargo cut, tapered at the ankle, fitted at the waist so they don’t shift when I run. The thigh pocket lies flat against my leg until I need it, the flap buttoned down like a promise. And the boots, lace-up combat boots in worn matte black, thick soles, grounded weight. They look like something I could buy in a city.

I give a sharp nod and pull back the wooden divider. Harlow smiles, admiring the new set of clothes and crosses his arms.

“Aye, you look right at home lass.” I nod and look to the elf.

“Thank you.” He looks away.

“It’s fine, now get out of my room.” He points to the door and Harlow only laughs, gesturing me to follow.

“Let me show you to your room, hopefully Felik hasn’t ruined it.” I furrow my brow, asking myself if I should ask why or leave it for later. Before any of us could speak, we hear another small explosion from Azars room. Harlow pauses for a second but waves his hand and keeps moving. “He’s fine.”