The four walked outside to board the carriage that they would spend the next week in.
As he stepped outside the mansion, Arthur gasped as he beheld what lay in front of him.
Two massive horses, perhaps twice as tall as he was, neighed as they tasseled their legs up. Behind them, what could only be described as a small villa on wheels stood, attached with giant, thick satin ribbons that could in no way tether such a massive carriage.
The scene looked almost majestic to Arthur. His mouth dropped down, refusing to believe this sight.
He had heard stories of these luxuries, but this was the first time he saw them.
"Ignorant bumpkin." Alaric scoffed under his breath, but when he saw Maelon Virestone waiting near the carriage door, he swallowed the rest of his words and simply walked past Arthur.
A stoic attendant in simple grey robes stood by the open carriage door. Maelon nodded once as the four champions approached, his presence still commanding but with a hint of warmth in his eyes. He boarded the carriage, and the others followed.
The interior was just as lavish. Plush velvet cushions, a small table inlaid with mother-of-pearl, and enchanted globes on the walls that cast a soft, steady light. It was bigger on the inside than it looked.
Maelon sat in one corner, his eyes closed, seemingly meditating. The journey began, the carriage moving with an impossible smoothness.
For the first two days, the atmosphere was tense. Alaric sat rigidly, not daring to speak out of a grudging respect for the Emissary. Seraphina sat by a window, gazing silently at the passing landscape.
Orion tried to start a conversation a few times.
"So, the capital… I hear the markets there are amazing. You can find almost anything," he said to the quiet carriage.
No one responded.
Orion sighed, finally giving up. He and Arthur spent most of the time in a comfortable silence, occasionally discussing basic sword forms or the sights outside.
On the third day, the carriage came to a smooth halt in a clearing near a river.
The attendant opened the cabin door. "My Lord, we will rest here for the evening," he announced respectfully. "I will see to the horses and firewood."
Alaric glanced at the simple clearing with a faint sneer but kept his mouth shut. Seraphina simply took out a small, exquisite-looking box from her bag, likely filled with preserved rations.
Orion looked at Arthur. "Well, I'm starving. Up for a bit of hunting?"
Arthur nodded. After all, they had been eating rations for two whole days. He couldn't wait to get some fresh food.
They returned an hour later. Orion, beaming, carried an impressive haul of five plump river birds, while Arthur held a handful of wild roots and herbs.
Back at the campsite, a neat fire was already crackling, courtesy of the attendant. Alaric was sharpening his greatsword, pointedly ignoring everyone. Seraphina was sitting on a log, her posture perfect.
The door to the lavish carriage creaked open. Maelon Virestone stepped out, a pleasant, curious smile on his face.
"My, my," he said, his voice warm as he sniffed the air. "That aroma is far too good to ignore. It has been a long time since I've had a proper campfire meal."
Orion and Arthur glanced at each other, surprised by his friendly demeanor.
Arthur took the river birds from Orion. "I'll cook," he said.
He worked with a quiet efficiency. He skillfully prepared the birds, seasoned them with the crushed wild herbs, and skewered them over the fire. He wrapped the roots in large leaves and buried them in the hot coals to roast.
Soon, a delicious, savory aroma filled the clearing.
Arthur took the first perfectly cooked bird from the fire and walked over to the Emissary. "My Lord, please, have one."
Maelon chuckled. "Thank you, young man. I will gladly accept." He took the offering, his eyes twinkling.
Arthur then cooked one for Orion, who devoured it with relish. "Whoa! Arthur, this is amazing!"
He then offered one to Seraphina. She watched him for a moment, her expression unreadable. She hesitated, then gave a slight, almost imperceptible nod and accepted it. She took a small, delicate bite. A flicker of surprise crossed her face before her usual icy mask returned.
Alaric just snorted, taking out a piece of hard, dry ration from his own bag and chewing on it angrily. Arthur cooked the remaining birds for himself and Orion.
After the simple but satisfying meal, Maelon looked at the four of them, his expression warm.
"That was an excellent meal, young man," he said to Arthur, before his gaze swept over the others. "Now, while the night is still young, indulge an old man's curiosity. Show me the skills that earned you a place on this journey. A demonstration, if you will. Perhaps I can offer a pointer or two."
Alaric looked up, a flicker of interest finally showing. An offer of guidance from a Citadel Emissary was priceless. Seraphina also turned her full attention to Maelon.
Maelon looked at Seraphina first. "Your ice is powerful, but rigid. True winter is not just about the force of a blizzard; it is about the silent frost that finds every crack. Finesse is a weapon."
He then turned to Alaric. "Your Tyrant's art is oppressive, but it leaves you open. A king who only looks up will never see the dagger aimed at his feet. Power without awareness is just a tantrum."
His gaze fell on Orion. "Your Lion's Roar has spirit, but you pour your entire being into one attack. A lion does not roar only once before it is exhausted. Temper your spirit. Let the roar build instead of exploding all at once."
Finally, he looked at Arthur.
"Your footwork is excellent. You have a good foundation." He paused, his eyes seeming to see more than just the boy in front of him. "But you treat your lightning as a hammer, something to be unleashed in a single crash. Lightning is not just a hammer; it is the current that connects the sky to the earth. It flows. Find that flow, young man. Don't just create the thunder."
He said nothing more. He simply smiled, leaving the four of them in a heavy silence around the crackling fire, each one contemplating his cryptic, but profound, words. The road ahead was still long, and it seemed their training had only just begun.