Chapter 100:Sail (bonus - )
Lilith’s eyes lingered on him for a moment before she turned to the exposed construct.
"It’s designed to mimic unstable aether output," she said," it comes off irregular and erratic deliberately irritating anything corrupted."
Atheline crouched slightly. He studied the construct for a moment.
"It wouldn’t control the drake," he said," just pull it towards our side."
"Yes," she calmly replied," straight towards us."
Silence fell over them as they both looked down at the construct.
"You said it earlier that it was too precise," he said.
She didn’t answer immediately.
"It was."
Her hand lifted slightly, and the construct lifted from the ground before them and hung in the air.
"The placement and timing, " she continued," none of it was accidental."
He exhaled slightly.
"So ... someone knew our route."
Her sharp gaze flickered towards him.
"They probably did," she confirmed," I’m not the only one who uses this route.... a few others in the palace are aware of it."
The construct trembled slightly, reacting to her aether. Her fingers curled.
It collapsed instantly, dissolved into little nothings which the wind blew away.
Silence followed.
Atheline straightened and held his hand out to her which she took.
"Are you thinking of changing the route? " he asked.
They started to slowly head back. She wrapped her hand around his bicep.
"No," she answered, " if I do that we’ll get delayed."
Atheline looked back at the looming forest.
"Will other corrupted be coming?" He asked.
She was silent for a moment.
"They will," she said," but not at the moment."
She stopped and turned to stare at him her eyes narrowed.
Atheline was about to speak when she cut him off.
"Why did you come? I told you to stay near the carriage. "
"I wanted to see."
"Thats unnecessary. "
"So is using this route," he replied calmly.
Atheline continued forward. He heard a sigh then footsteps.
Atheline smiled.
"Don’t do that again, " she said.
’At least it’s not an order this time’
It didn’t take long to get there. Her shadows, Atheline noticed were the ones manning the carriage who opened the door.
She stepped inside first. This time when he followed, she didn’t try to help.
The door closed softly behind them.
Lilith immediately moved into his personal space.
The carriage rocked forward.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
"Have you ever seen that construct?" He asked casually.
She shook her head.
"I haven’t but it’s not the only thing that can attract the corrupt, " she said.
Atheline’s gaze went outside.
"I’ve never heard of such a thing," he admitted, " when we return, would you mind showing it to me?"
She was silent for a moment, and Atheline almost assumed he had been ignored.
"I can teach you how to make one," she eventually said.
Atheline smiled.
"That would be appreciated. "
An amused scoff left her.
"Don’t get used to it," she calmly said," treat it as a compensation for today."
He nodded.
.
.
.
The corruption zone ended gradually and merged into a more normal forest.
The contrast was jarring since it was clear the corruption was moving forward towards the coast.
By the time the carriage reached smooth roads, the darkness had disappeared and only warmth was left.
Beyond the horizon opened.
At first, it was reflective light then the ocean revealed itself.
Endless.
The wind carried salt through the air as the water moved lightly hitting the shores before lazily moving back in.
Inside the carriage, Atheline let out an exhale.
"We made it."
She didn’t answer immediately.
Atheline didn’t care for an answer, the prospect of just standing up was already itching his mind.
"We’re on time," she finally said.
Her gaze was fixed ahead, already assessing the coastline, the structures near the water, and the movements of ships anchored at a distance.
The carriage moved on.
The border settlement came into view as they approached.
It wasn’t a big grand city or purely a port but something in between.
Stone structures reinforced with aether lined the edge, built more for durability than beauty.
Salt wears out walls faster than anything.
Watch towers stood at measured intervals each overlooking a specific part.
The guards straightened immediately the moment the carriage came into their view and opened the gates before it could even reach them.
Inside the settlement, dark elves scampered out of the way. The occasional high elves, beast folk, and humans could be seen walking around.
The carriage finally slowed as it approached the inner stretch leading to the docks.
The sea was closer and louder now as waves hit the reinforced walls.
The smell of salt and fish had become stronger, almost choking.
"It’s calmer than expected," he said, watching the waters through the window.
"It won’t stay that way for long," she calmly said.
This was when Atheline truly noticed how hurried people near the docks were as they moved inland.
He glanced at her briefly.
"The currents?"
"Yes," she nodded, "they shift after sunset."
Atheline’s gaze went to the setting sun. The sea had started to adopt that beautiful shimmering orange but it was still far away.
The carriage came to a stop.
The moment she stepped onto the docks, everyone turned. Her beauty and grace garnered attention wherever she went.
Atheline followed behind her just as good-looking. He too noticed the shift her presence had caused.
He leaned closer to her.
"You’re causing a disruption," he jokingly said.
She scoffed and slipped her hand into his.
"I’m brightening their day," she seriously said without any subtlety.
Atheline chuckled.
’True’
Space opened in front of them without command.
Her gaze didn’t leave the ship ahead.
It stood slightly apart from the others, larger than most transport vehicles but not excessive.
It had been built for distance and made sure to look like it. Reinforced hull, layered decks, and faint lines of Aether etched into the wood works.
The captain was already descending the boarding ramps before they reached it.
"My lady."
He bowed lower than required but still respectful. Lilith nodded nonchalantly and continued.
Atheline looked at Lilith with interest.
’Who did she register herself as?’
The captain raised.
"The vessel is ready. The passengers have already begun boarding," he paused, " your quarters have been secured as requested."
Her steps didn’t slow.
"Access?"
"Restricted, " he replied immediately, "upper deck and forward cabins have been cleared."
Lilith nodded.
"Only essential crew will be allowed to enter with your direct approval," he added.
Around them, activities resumed. That was when Atheline noticed something.
Other passengers were being redirected away from the upper deck by the crew, guiding them somewhere else.
"You displaced them," he said.
"They’ll live," she replied nonchalantly.
’Were they not informed beforehand?’
Atheline felt a small pinch of pity before it evaporated when his attention turned back to her.
They reached the base boarding ramp. The water stretched out around them shimmering in the sun.
Lilith paused as though admiring it but her gaze was assessing everything around them.
"Accepted, " she softly said.
She then stepped onto the ramp with Atheline following closely behind her.
They reached the top of the ramp without any incident.
The upper decks had already been cleared and the passengers moved to the lower decks.
The captain stepped aside as she paused since she already knew where she was going.
The door of the forward cabin was opened before they could reach it.
It wasn’t extravagant but well organised and safe. A wide berth, minimal furnishing, and reinforced walls.
"This is actually better than expected," Atheline said over her shoulder.
Lilith rolled her eyes and stepped forward.
"It was hurriedly organised, " she said," I’ll get you a better one."
Atheline who had followed behind her chuckled.
"Sure."
The moment he was inside he fell on the bed without any decorum. His body felt tired and he just wanted to lie down.
Lilith sat down next to him.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
Atheline turned to her.
"Of course, I’m just tired," he replied.
Behind them, the door closed softly.
"When will the ship leave?" He asked.
The sun was still out on the horizon.
"It should be any moment now."