Chapter 89: Rendely
[ 6 weeks later ]
It had been a day since they left the Dreadmarch behind, and now the massive walls of Rendely finally came into view. They stood like monuments of stone and history, shadowing the winding outskirts that sprawled before them, crowded markets, cracked streets, and worn faces.
The scent of smoke and spices lingered in the air, mingling with dust. Merchants shouted, children ran barefoot, and the broken voices of beggars echoed beneath the guard towers.
Even among all this, Dune and the others walked without issue. Clad in clean new clothes, they looked like they belonged somewhere else.
Then Cadogan and Mindya slowed to a stop just before the main checkpoint.
Dune, Atlas, and Ned turned back.
"We'll stop here," Cadogan said, calm and certain. "Mindya's entrance is separate. She has to take a private exam before being placed. If all goes well, she'll join academy with you guys after the test."
Dune gave a small nod and stepped forward. He extended his hand toward Cadogan, firm and sincere. "Thanks. We wouldn't have made it this far without you."
Cadogan blinked, a rare flicker of surprise crossing his face. Then he chuckled and pulled Dune in, locking an arm around his neck and dragging his head against his chest in a headlock.
"You getting soft on me now, bastard? Tch, if any of you fail, I swear I'll kill all four of you."
They laughed. All of them. Ned, Atlas, even Dune, rubbing his neck after Cadogan let go.