Dusk was breaking and the young elf y naked inbetween the sheets as I stood before the mirror, all dressed up, mother close behind me with a smile.

  "You look just like your father" she said.

  I smiled back. I felt like a kid getting ready for prom.

  A midnight blue velvet doublet, intricately embroidered in silver, blending otherworldly artistry with human refinement. It emphasized my frame, signifying royal stature.

  Underneath, a white shirt with delicate ce cuffs bridged godly grace and human tradition. Bck silk trousers flowed into polished leather boots adorned with silver buckles.

  The centerpiece of my attire was a formal royal cape, draping from my left shoulder to the front. A dragon-shaped pin, adorned with sapphires and onyx, secured it at my right shoulder.

  Looks quite fitting but I didn't feel comfortable in it. I am yet to get use to looking at the mirror and seeing what stares back, but right now that wasn't the problem.

  The central pins, Mittelreich in particur is north of Drakoria and separated from us by a rge water body, Sea of Eldrakar. Fortunately for me, who hates traveling by water, it is connected by nd with Cremia but...it took me a day and half, almost two to get to Cremia when I visited Elgwood. The ball is tomorrow's night, and when there was no serious urgency to leave Drakoria in order to make it in time, I thought there was some special pns pnned. Imagine my surprise when I saw that they were getting the royal coach ready.

  "How far is Mittelreich from Drakoria?" I finally asked, not able to keep it in anymore.

  "18 days on fast horseback" she said casually, not looking up as she was now fastening the silver-lined chain onto my clothing. She had insisted on dressing me herself, and it looks like she knows what she is doing.

  "18 days?" I repeated. "The ball is tomorrow's night"

  She burst out ughing, loud. Interrupting what she was doing. It was prolonged. Uncharacteristic of her.

  "Is that why you have been disturbed through out?" she asked, her ughter rescinding.

  I wouldn't say disturbed, I thought. Just seriously curious, but I am gd she took it that way instead of the suspicious gaze she gives anytime I ask something I should know that I didn't. Don't know which question would make her snap.

  "Don't worry," she assured, her ughter subsiding into a low chuckle. "You are awakened now, you can use the warp gate in Cremia."

  Warp gate? Sounds like a portal. Yet another crucial thing Drakoria cks.

  As she put the final touches to the colr, my mother's gaze shifted, her eyes briefly meeting mine. "You do know the grand mage would be there," she mentioned casually.

  She got out of my way as I was looking at the final results of her efforts. Nothing could be more regal. The person staring back at me doesn't look like someone who could be intimidated.

  "I hope so" I said, mostly to myself.

  ┌─────── ? ───────┐

  The invite was for a company of a maximum of 5 but I came with just me, Vojnka and Mustapha. I would have loved for Helene to join but she said it was too sensitive of a time to leave. I didn't know what she meant, didn't mind it. If she was truly pregnant with my child then she will be doing the utmost to keep me on top.

  A loud stomach rumbling interrupted my thoughts. Vojnka.

  "Hungry again?" I asked her.

  "Don't mind me, Your Majesty" she replied, her massive battle axe positioned securely between her legs despite the carriage's motion.

  She's seated with Mustapha and I on my own. Everybody was elegantly dressed except her. Even though she did put efforts, she still looks like a savage warrior. A massive one. We came with enough food for six but she eats for 5 people and it seems even that is not enough. It's a good thing we are less than 3 hours from our destination. I need her at her peak, incase things go south.

  I turned my attention to the window, where a group of children raced through a field, their ughter and gleeful shouts carrying through the air as they tried to keep up with our carriage. I looked away. I can't wait to arrive either, the distance is killing me. I used to hate riding trains but at this point I would a thousand times over prefer a train to th--something pop up to mind.

  Train? Why the fuck didn't I think of that?!

  I sat up.

  A warp gate takes 18 months to build, dozens of gold coins a month to keep it running only to be used by less than 1% of the popution? Imagine what would happen if I have another option, not quite as fast but can be used by all and is 10 times faster than the general means of transportation? And can go anywhere in the continent?

  I could literally hear the gold coins clinking but then a voice chimed in.

  "Yeah, because you have a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering" the voice mocked.

  Fuck. I sat back. Got all excited for nothing. Dad worked at a train station all his life but not even he can build one, even though he loved trains and was highly fascinated by them. He talks about it all the time but I barely listened. To be honest, it actually annoys me when he talks about them because I couldn't understand how you can love something so much that gives you so little.

  Yet the trains couldn't get off my mind. It is possible, I just don't know how.

  We continued traveling in silence until we entered the city of Eind, capital of Cremia.

  As our carriage rolled through the bustling square of Eind, the medieval city unfolded before us in all its grandeur. The city's heart was a hive of activity, with merchants hawking their wares in vibrant market stalls, and townsfolk going about their daily lives. The cobblestone streets bustled with people, and the scent of freshly baked bread and fragrant spices hung in the air.

  The city's architecture bore the weight of history, with towering stone buildings adorned with intricate carvings and stained gss windows. Narrow alleyways wound between the structures, leading to hidden courtyards and most probably artisan workshops.

  As we approached the towering castle that housed the gate, its massive stone walls and imposing turrets spoke of nothing but centuries of authority and power. The grandeur of the capital was undeniable, a testament to the richness of region's history.

  It was evening and the castle courtyard expectedly bustled with activity. A gathering of people had already amassed, all with intentions of using the gate. The anticipation hung palpably in the air.

  Our carriage smoothly rolled through the grand castle gate, depositing us into an expansive hall. The interior was a vast, single-room expanse, reminding me of a terminal station.

  The carriage halted, and Mustapha and Vojnka swiftly exited. Vojnka stood guard outside, while Mustapha took charge of attending to the necessary arrangements.

  I remained inside the carriage, my gaze fixed on the nobles gathered outside the window, casually chatting, waiting to use the gate. They probably didn't have to travel two days to be here that's why none seems irritated.

  Mustapha returned with the news that everything was in order. I eagerly stepped out of the carriage, my entire body feeling numb from the lengthy journey.

  The atmosphere grew hushed as I made my way towards the gate, and the attention of those gathered turned toward me, their curiosity piqued.

  The gate was exactly how I thought it would be. It occupied a prominent position at the far end of the room, elevated on a stage. It was a massive near perfect circur structure, crafted from meticulously sculpted rocks, each bearing intricate inscriptions. Set within these stones were unique rge light blue gems, their hues adding an ethereal touch to the grand design.

  Whenever the two attendants that fnked the gate pulled a pair of levers, the blue stones began to emit a gentle glow, and slowly, wisps of azure clouds formed within the circle.

  "We can go in now" Mustapha said, when the st set had gone in and I started climbing up the stairs.

  I paused just before the swirling clouds, their tumultuous sound resembling a rush of chaotic winds, even though the clouds themselves moved at a deliberate pace. It felt like all eyes were on me so I stepped through.

  The cloud-like vortex seemed to grasp me with momentary violence, but the disorientation passed quickly. I could hear commotions around me, , a chaotic blend of sounds that made me realize I had shut my eyes during the transition. As I opened them, I found myself in a simir but distinctly different space. The stage is more elevated, and the gate bigger. There were dozens of carriages and the nobles I had seen go through the gate were getting on them.

  Mustapha and Vojnka were now behind me, and a man in Mittelreich's colors, blue, was walking towards us. Our ride, I presume.

  I let out a breath of air. Time to move pieces.