Chapter 487 - On the Verge of Collapse

Thanks for waiting. Hope you like the chapter!

The Crown of the Winds came to a complete halt as the tower bridge locked into place, providing them a path to the dock. With their illusions dispelled, and Prince Marcoff’s soldiers called off, Hump could now focus on just how many eyes were on them. The sea of onlookers pressed against the balcony rails and stairways, their hushed murmurs joining together as anything but quiet. It reminded Hump of when the city of Elenvine had seen off the soldiers entering the Remnant Realm to assault the warlock stronghold—the noise, the awe, the charge of anticipation. Only this time, it was for them.

The Runeguard stood in formation along the walkway, their weapons withdrawn now but Hump could tell they were ready for a fight. The High Priest had calmed the situation down, but only for now.

“Nisha, stay close,” Hump said, tapping his thigh and sending her an image of her walking at his side. She quickly slowed down, matching his pace, but her eyes were everywhere, dazed by the sight of so many unfamiliar people. He could tell she still wasn’t sure about the altari. She’d warmed up to Acalin and his party, but their size and unfamiliarity made her surprisingly nervous, and so many gathered in one place was overwhelming.

Hump glanced at Celaine. Her shoulders were stiff, chin tucked down, as if she could physically shrink beneath the weight of so many eyes.

“You look like you want to claw at the shadows and crawl off into them,” Hump whispered to Celaine, taking her hand.

She locked her fingers with his. “I feel like an animal on display.”

Hump frowned. “More prized stallion or exotic snake?”

Celaine gave him a flat look. “Do I need to get that specific?”

Hump grinned at her.

“Don’t let it get to you,” Emilia said. “Hold your heads high, shoulders back. We’re here because we matter. And they’re here because they know it. Own that.”

Hump let out a quiet huff of amusement. “Or pretend long enough to make everyone believe it.”

“You’ve said that before, but I don’t believe it,” Dylan said. “You think you’re too smart for your own good.”

“I am pretty smart,” Hump said, stroking his chin wizardly.

“Or maybe he’s pretended long enough to convince himself,” Celaine said with a smirk.

“Is that what you think?” Hump asked, quirking an eyebrow. “These days whenever I’m surprised I just try not to show it.”

“Oh, I know what you mean!” Celaine said. “You get that stern look on your face.”

“His angry look,” Emilia said, nodding. “Both of you get it.” She laughed. “It’s like whenever you get overwhelmed you get angry.”

Hump and Bud shared a look.

“We don’t get like that do we?” Bud said.

Hump shook his head. “Surely not.”

Both of them turned to Dylan. He waved at them with his missing left arm, smiling at them without a word.”

Celaine shouldered Hump. “Don’t worry though. I like it when you get that face. You look brave.”

“Oh.” Hump tried to contain his smile, feeling his cheeks growing warm. “Then maybe we do get like that.”

“Do I look brave too, Celaine?” Bud asked with a jeering grin.

“You look courageous,” Emilia said first. “Every bit the knight in shining armour we know you are.”

They were the last to step off the skyship, along with Acalin and his party, and Captain Hadbur. They descended the tower together, coming to stand on the dock where Prince Marcoff, High Priest Jerard, Princess Urella, and a whole host of soldiers and advisors were waiting for them.

They stepped off the skyship together, descending the tower until they were on the dock, Acalin and his party with them, while Captain Hadbur would join them once the other passengers. Some of the passengers waited for their departure, while other new faces had arrived.

“I recognise representatives from some of the important families in the city,” Acalin said quietly. “My mother is watching from one of the upper levels. You have drawn quite a crowd.”

“Do we need to do anything?” Bud asked.

“No. Both the High Priest and Prince Marcoff are here. For now, leave the port with them. I will accompany you. I imagine they will have many questions once we are behind closed doors.”

“Brilliant,” Hump said. “That’s exactly what we need after a long trip.”

“It’s not so bad,” Bud said. “We’ll finally get some answers.”

“That reminds me,” Hump said. “Karo, I need to ask a favour.”

“What is it?” the altari asked.

“You mentioned an artifact capable of identifying new dungeons and essence surges. Would it be possible for you to try and find a way for us to use it?”

Karo frowned. “I can try, though I am not in particularly good favour with the University right now. What’s this about?”

Hump paused, looking at Karo then glancing over the rest of Acalin’s party, before looking to his own.

“They have more than earned our trust,” Bud said. “Tell them.”

Hump nodded. “We were not the only ones to fall through the veil. In the room with us was a prince of our kingdom, along with a powerful Chosen that had betrayed the Pantheon.”

“I will see what I can do,” Karo said. “But I can make no promises.”

“My family may be of help too,” Acalin said. “We have some pull with the Magic Society and the University.”

“Thank you, both,” Hump said.

“How powerful was this Chosen?” Tamira asked. “More powerful than you?”

“Far more powerful than all of us together,” Hump said. “So powerful, the only way we survived was by using his own formation to cause a rift that swallowed us all. If he’s in this world too, we need to know.”

High Priest Jerard, Prince Marcoff, and Princess Urella waited atop the stairs at the top of the dock, all of them landed now. Their advisors and retainers stood around them with their hands on their weapons. Even now, Hump saw their tension. They watched him and his friends as if they were monsters. He supposed if this world had any experience with demons or the like, outsiders would be viewed with just as much caution. If an altari appeared in Alveron, it would be the same.

“It is a pleasure,” High Priest Jerard said. “I will be at your disposal at your convenience, but for now I ask that you follow me to the temple where we can begin having a more private discussion.”

Prince Marcoff barked something in altari.

“If we are to treat these people as guests, we must converse in a way that they understand,” Princess Urella interrupted. She looked at Hump with a warm smile. She was taller than any of the women in Acalin’s party, her black scaled skin glistened slightly in the sun. Her robe was of silken whites and purples, its sleeves trailing like banners. Her hair was not blonde but a radiant gold, coiling down her back in elegant braids woven with crystal runes. “Marcoff does not wish to take you to the temple, but to the palace for questioning.”

“Urella,” Marcoff said darky.

“I will not have them think we are plotting,” Urella said. “They are here on the Maker’s directive. We must treat them with respect.” Her gaze turned from the prince, leaving no room for argument. “It has been too long, Acalin. How are you?”

Even as the conversation moved on, Hump kept one eye on the prince. His seemed to seethe, though gave in to the princess’ demands.

Acalin dipped his head respectfully, hands clasped before him. “Princes Urella,” he said with a smile. “Indeed, it has been. I am well, and grateful for your kind reception on behalf of my new friends. I know there is much to be discussed but let me say that in the week that I have known them they have saved my companions from disaster. High Priest Jerard, Prince Marcoff, I ask that you both listen to them.”

“What will it be, Prince Marcoff?” the High Priest asked.

“If it must be the temple, I will require to be present,” the prince said. “For the entirety of your conversation.”

High Priest Jerard frowned. “The Maker—”

“—I am a prince. The Maker may have spoken to you, but that does not mean you can overrule me. I will represent my father. That is the condition. Otherwise, I will bring them to their accommodations in the palace, and they can speak with you later.”

“Prince Marcoff is most welcome,” Bud said. “I believe what we have to say will be of great interest to the monarch. This will save us from explaining ourselves twice.”

“Very well,” High Priest Jerard said. “I shall leave you here with Urella to escort you. I’m afraid these old legs are not much good for the heights of Urandel, but I will await you at the temple.”

Bud bowed his head. “Thank you. We will be with you shortly.”

They watched as the high priest rose back into the air. He spoke once more in altari, addressing the crowds, and then he floated off back into the city.

“Marcoff, will you accompany us?” Urella asked.

“As I made very clear, yes.”

“Then let us be off.”

They made their way through the skyport, guards flanked at either side and at their rear. They maintained a respectable distance but were never more than a few steps away. Hump fell into step beside his companions, the six of them walking in tight formation as the crowd was parted for them. The air buzzed with energy as they passed through the guard. Orders were being shouted out, and most of them seemed to be leaving, no doubt returning to their usually duties.

Once they climbed the cliff to the top of the skyport, Urandel revealed itself in full. A sprawling city of white stone, climbing high into the sky, the houses stacked on top of each other. From the ground, the hive of streets looked like a maze, all of them leading to the very top where the grand pyramid stood overhead, essence pouring from its peak and filling the city.

Waiting for them atop the cliff were two elegant floating carriages, each decorated with gold and banners bearing the sigil of a hammer surrounded by a sunburst. They were a similar size to Acalin’s windrunner, but fully enclosed and more luxurious. Getting inside, it seemed a shame that they would miss seeing the city on foot, but Hump supposed they could do that later.

Nisha spread herself out across Hump and Celaine’s lap as they took a seat inside the first vessel along side Princess Urella, while Acalin and his party joined Prince Marcoff aboard the second. The door closed with a soft sigh, and the vessel rose smoothly into the air, directed by a driver in the front that Hump couldn’t see, they advanced through the narrow streets, pedestrians making way for them.

“I have been so excited to meet you,” Urella said. “I’m sorry you were received in such a way, especially by Marcoff. Urandel is not like most of the Ura. The people here are too comfortable, and too far removed from the real world. Untouched by hardship. Prince Marcoff more so than most. He doesn’t know better, and he’s a fool.”

“You are not related?” Emilia asked. “I assumed you to be siblings.”

“He is my future husband,” Urella said. “That is why I’m in Urandel. This is my fate. Unfortunately, he’s… as you saw. I do not wish to sully this conversation with this topic though. Please, before the official business begins again, tell me about your world and your people. I am fascinated.”

The request took them by surprise. Hump glanced to the others, who offered tentative shrugs and nods. He cleared his throat. “What do you want to know?”

And so, as they drifted through the city, they spoke of Alveron and the lands beyond. Of rolling green hills, vast mountains, expansive cities, and the Fallen Lands. Celaine described Drakalyn and its forests, Bud spoke of Blackthorne and his mother, Dylan shared stories of his time as an apprentice with Vivi and about Lorissa, while Emilia regaled her with the tale of how Bud had vanished on her.

In return, Urella told them of the Kingdom of Ura and its many regions. Her Alveronian was perfectly fluent, even more so than the captain and some of the others. She described the sites of the city as they passed through, pointing out the towering buildings and various food types that they would need to try. Her voice carried the rhythm of someone proud of her people, even if she wasn’t too happy to be in Urandel itself.

As they reached the base of the temple, Urella paused, her gaze settling on Hump. “There is something I must ask, but you do not need to answer. I… sensed something in you, Wizard Humphrey. When you repelled the runespell at the skyport, I caught a glimpse of your power—a vastness. You are all more powerful than we realise, aren’t you?”

Hump didn’t reply at first. The princess had been friendly to them, but it was impossible to read her true intentions. From what he could tell so far, the altari was a straightforward people, but he knew nothing of their politics or mannerisms.

“We are more powerful than most,” he said carefully.

There was a glimmer of something in her eyes. Curiosity? Or maybe… a flicker of hope.

Hump hated that look. It was never good when someone got like that, but he dared to ask. “Why do you ask?”

“Because our world is collapsing,” Urella said. “The Maker tells us that the five of you can stop it.”