Morning sunlight trickled through the windows of their new home in Veilden, but Lira's mood was sharp with purpose. She stood in the middle of the living room, both palms raised, chanting softly. A pale blue barrier shimmered into place over the doorway and windows.
"There," she said, brushing off her hands. "Now Eryna's safe. No one can enter without triggering the seal—and she can't leave without my notice."
Eryna, seated nearby, blinked curiously. "You're very cautious."
"With bandits and slave merchants involved, we'd be careless not to be," Lira replied.
Arriel slung his sword over his shoulder. "We won't be long. Just going to ask around about that griffin symbol."
Kell tightened his boots. "Let's visit Hashiel. He's well-connected. Might've seen or heard something."
The trio departed, the barrier gently pulsing as the door closed behind them.
—
Hashiel, the Townlord of Veilden, greeted them in his office with his usual half-amused, half-distracted air. "Ah, the town's local celebrities," he said with a smile. "Come to grab another quest?"
"Not today," Arriel said, stepping forward. "We need to ask you about something important."
Lira pulled a rough sketch of the griffin symbol from her satchel. "Have you seen this before? It's engraved on a gold ring. The man who wore it deals in slaves—and purple clothing."
Hashiel leaned back, rubbing his chin. "That symbol… it's connected to the Royal Descendants of Theodor. High-born scum with too much gold and too little morality."
"So, he's from Theodor?" Arriel asked.
"Likely. But if you want more than guesses, you should talk to someone who deals with interkingdom matters. Like…" He smirked and turned to Kell. "Your father."
Arriel and Lira froze.
"Wait. What?" Arriel asked.
"Kell's father, Klein. The Royal Governor of East Province," Hashiel said casually, as if discussing the weather.
The silence was immediate. Then, slowly, Lira and Arriel turned their heads toward Kell with the same deadpan stare.
Kell raised his hands defensively. "What?! You never asked!"
Lira's fingers twitched. "We shared meals, battled monsters, slept under the same roof—"
Arriel closed his eyes, breathing deeply. "Let's just go see him before I lose my temper."
—
Klein's office was elegant, with polished wooden floors and tall glass windows. Klein himself sat at a broad desk, cloaked in fine robes. He looked up, immediately spotting his son.
"Kell! You look thinner. Are you eating well? Why haven't you written? Your mother is worried sick!"
Kell groaned. "Here we go…"
"You need to come home. Finish your exams. Start working in the administration. And find a nice girl to marry. I want grandchildren before I retire."
Kell stuffed his fingers into his ears. "Can't hear you."
Lira coughed. "Excuse me, Governor Klein, we're here about something serious."
"Oh, of course." Klein straightened up and turned his sharp green eyes to them. "Speak."
Arriel presented the sketch of the griffin ring. "This symbol was on a ring worn by a masked slave merchant. He wore purple robes. We believe he's connected to the kidnapping of an elf girl from Azalea."
Klein's expression darkened. "That symbol is no mystery. It belongs to the Royal Descendants of Theodor—extended members of their royal bloodline. Most have noble status and powerful trade networks. Some have gone… rotten."
"You think this merchant is one of them?" Lira asked.
"Possibly. Unfortunately, their influence is vast. You can't just walk up to one and demand answers." Klein folded his hands. "That's why Mirdia has been quietly investigating them. You three aren't the only ones disturbed by this."
Arriel frowned. "We want to help, even if unofficially."
Klein sighed. "I expected as much. But be extremely careful. The kind of people you're after don't fight fair, and they don't forgive."
Then he looked at Kell. "And you—please stop running around like some common adventurer. Come home. Study. You have responsibilities."
Kell rolled his eyes. "We've talked about this. I want to live on my own terms."
"Then at least don't die doing it," Klein muttered. "And try not to drag these two down with you."
Arriel chuckled. "We'll keep him out of too much trouble."
"Good," Klein said. "I'm trusting you both with my son."
As they left the mansion, the sky was turning overcast.
"So," Kell said casually, "anyone else hiding they're royalty?"
Arriel and Lira both stopped and glared at him.
Kell put his hands up. "Joking! Joking!"
They walked on in silence for a moment.
"…Still," Lira murmured. "Royal Descendants. Slavery. We might be wading into something much deeper than bandits."
"Then we'll prepare," Arriel said. "Like we always do."
They turned toward home, unaware that across the border, trouble was already brewing once more.