The victorious defenders arrived in their capital and were surrounded by the applause of the masses. They slowly moved through the crowd and walked towards the palace. The troops marched to their garrison, and the officers entered the palace with the king.

  They entered the throne room, and Salter ordered the maids to fetch a doctor. The doctor arrived swiftly and attended to Felmer. He unwrapped the handkerchief and applied medicine to the wound. He stitched the wound, bandaged it, and gave Felmer a painkiller. He then examined Holtif. He stitched his wounds and bandaged them. The doctor excused himself and left the hall.

  Felmer drank a glass of water and took a deep breath. He was extremely tired. He pulled out the badge and the second jewel. Melfer came closer and stood beside him. Felmer placed the second jewel in the right slot. The slot was correct, as yellow veins emerged and surrounded the right edge of the badge. The glow faded, and then Felmer put it in his pocket.

  Soon, the maid brought food for Felmer and Holtif. They ate and then sighed, sitting on the chairs.

  “You fought well,” Holtif complimented Felmer.

  “Thanks…”

  “Now, tell me, Holtif. How did you get into this situation? That mage didn’t seem too powerful.” Salter asked, sitting on his throne.

  “I know, sir. He wasn’t powerful enough to overcome me. But there was a problem.” Holtif took a deep breath. “Whenever I attacked him, he would change into small magical fragments. Like, he never existed. But I could sense that it wasn’t him doing that. He attacked with wooden weapons, but the transformation into magical particles? That wasn’t him.”

  “Then?” Felmer asked.

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  “There were two people. And the second one was facilitating him. With his help, he was able to overpower me. The second person was the one who took me to the Falvarians. He was powerful. The power felt his own. He wore no mask, but I was unable to see his face. I barely saw his eyes.”

  “And those were?” Salter asked.

  “Golden. Similar to yours…” Holtif said, pointing at Melfer.

  “Me?” Melfer was shocked.

  “Not that I am blaming you. I am saying the colour was the same. People can have the same eye colours.” Holtif replied.

  The squad looked at Melfer and then at Holtif. Melfer’s muscle twitched, his hand on his sword. Felmer got close and grabbed his shoulder.

  “Yes…People can have the same eye colours.” Felmer looked at Melfer and smiled.

  Melfer smiled back.

  “Well, you people should rest…It was a busy day.” The queen said.

  The squad followed her advice and left the hall. They spent the rest of the day sleeping, touring the palace, and eating. After a good night’s sleep, the next day, they were ready to leave.

  “You should have stayed for longer…” Salter said.

  “We could have…But we have matters to tend to.” Felmer replied.

  “If that matter is the next jewel, then I can tell you where it is…” Holtif said. “It is in the hands of the Twilight Queen.”

  The squad looked at Holtif and then at each other.

  “How do you know that?” Melfer asked.

  “The world only knows about two jewels. The one here and that one.” Holtif said, sternly. “If I remember correctly, that jewel gives one power related to some special magic.”

  Felmer nodded, thinking about the special magic.

  “But isn’t her territory away from the mainland, in the middle of the ocean?” Elna asked.

  “Correct. It is far away from the mainland. To the northeast in the vast ocean. I advise that you travel on our ship. You were a great help to us. We should do the same.” Salter said happily.

  Felmer thought about the king’s plan and decided to accept it.

  “Fine…”

  Salter signalled a guard, and soon, the guard brought a naval captain living in the capital.

  “He is a skilled captain. He will take you to the shore city, and then to the Mane of the Twilight Queen.” Salter said as the captain stood near the squad.

  “Thanks a lot…” Felmer thanked him, and then they turned.

  “Lord Felmer, remember…” Salter called him. “Germaiyin will always be available to give help.”

  Felmer nodded, and then they left the palace, then the city, and moved northeast, towards the distant shore city.