At last, the sailboat neared the docks of their destination. Zahari eyed over to Veyric, who was sitting back, tapping his foot on the floor. "Nervous?" Zahari asked before facing ahead, the docks within sight. "Very. Queens don't talk to plebeians off the street." Veyric replied.
"You've got good reason to be nervous. She's skittish. Once you're there, I have no idea how she'll react… But if things begin to sour, I'll speak for you." Zahari explained. Veyric's grip tightened on the boat railings, "... You would do that for me?" He asked.
"I've deduced enough about you. Considering I haven't seen your face, I'll give myself a pat on the back for that." Zahari said.
"What have you learned?" He asked.
"That stays with me. But you've handled yourself better than most." She replied. The sailboat docked, and two men began to approach them as they were unboarding. The first man was tall and blonde, with slicked-back hair, his eyes blue like the ocean, alongside a stubbly beard. He wore a black gambeson with chainmail armor, and a shortsword was holstered on his hip. The other man was middle-aged, of average height, balding scalp and his beard littered with gray hairs. His armor and clothes were similar to the blonde man's, but for choice of weapon, he wielded a halberd.
"Zahari, long time no see, how've you been?" The blonde man spoke. His voice was husky, and he eyed Zahari with a passionate gaze, straightening his posture.
"Spare me, Eric. I've no time." Zahari said.
Eric smirked.
"Didn't think so. You've never slowed down for a second." Eric said.
The middle-aged man was focused on Veyric in the back. He adjusted the hold on his halberd before saying,
"Who's your friend?" He spoke with authority, and his gaze attempted to intimidate Veyric with a glaring scowl.
"None of your concern, Clayton." Zahari's brow furrowed, shooting a venomous stare at him. For a moment, the docks felt like a battlefield.
"Unaware of the rules, are you? No strays in Delvara. Or are you still playing captain down at the harbor?" Clayton sneered.
Zahari said nothing, pulling her gaze away before walking past. Veyric followed behind her, looking back at Eric and Clayton for a brief moment.
"What was that about?" Veyric asked.
"Ignore it, just stay clear of the Phitian Knights. They're all trouble and theatrics." She said. Soon after leaving Delvara's ports, they were wrapped into one of its districts. It consisted of towering structures and shops made of extravagant materials. A jewelry shop that Veyric saw was packed with nobles, as well as the smell of freshly baked bread drifting through the streets from a nearby bakery, and in synchronization was the monotonous clanging and sizzling of a blacksmith who was hard at work. Veyric felt the number of stares building up as he and Zahari walked. Once leaving the district and after a few more minutes of walking, up ahead were the entrance gates to an estate. Two gatekeepers clad in armor and helmets blocked their path. The one to their left shifted their footing, metal clinking.
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"State your business, commonfolk." One said. Zahari reacted with an irritated expression, drawing in a sharp breath through her nose before exhaling, steadying herself.
"We have an audience with the Queen. She ordered me to escort this young gentleman to her." Zahari replied.
"Oh—Captain Zahari." The other gatekeeper added.
"You may proceed, but wait in the lobby. The Queen is still tending to her affairs." The gatekeepers opened the entrance gates, and they walked right through. They strolled down the marble path, surrounded by a well-maintained garden. It had vibrant greenery, blooming flowers, chirping birds, and buzzing bees. Right in the center of the connecting walkways was a giant fountain. The fountain head streamed out arcs of water onto its lower levels, flowing in a cycle. Veyric found himself getting lost in the environment, glancing around while Zahari's pace only increased. Zahari stopped in her tracks and turned back, watching Veyric's hood crease and fold as he took it all in. She sighed, waiting for him to meet her by the monumental double doors.
"Sorry, I…" Veyric stammered, but Zahari just looked at him with a faint smile. "No need to apologize. I get it. Haven't seen a garden like this before?" Zahari asked.
"No. Not a single second in my life have I seen something so… Alluring. From what I can remember, it's all been dead trees and withering grass." He explained.
"Dead trees, and withering grass…" She repeated to herself. Zahari nodded towards the door. "Ready?"
"Yes, I'm ready." He replied. Zahari pushed open the double doors and walked into the lobby of the estate with Veyric. Heads turned once they entered. Nobles who were deeply conversed paused, their gazes landing on Veyric's hooded stature, then to Zahari and her cutlass. Veyric's hood felt thin, like their stares were piercing right through his hooded appearance. A woman clutched her child's hand, pulling them away from Veyric. An onslaught of hushed whispers broke out from a nearby group of nobles, one of them flashing a look of disdain at Zahari's cutlass. Despite the scenery, Zahari remained calm, crossing her arms and leaning against a pillar, the nobles resuming their chatter.
"This is it, Veyric," Zahari said while pointing to the doors beyond the lobby.
"Any idea what you're going to do after this?" She asked him.
"No, not at all... But if the Queen lets me ask questions, I'll either be going home or I won't." Veyric answered.
"If there was somewhere you needed to go, you could've said that earlier," Zahari said.
"I wasn't sure if anyone would know… But it would definitely draw attention to me if I asked, and that wouldn't be good for me. I can't afford to trust anyone fully." Veyric said.
The nobles hushed; the heavy doors ahead grating open slowly. Servants exited the room, and the room was completely still. "Her majesty, Queen Virelda, will now be attending to any inquiries or potential offers!" One of the servants proclaimed.
