After ensuring they had put a safe distance between themselves and the port, Kaelen and the others let out a collective sigh of relief. The ship, now gliding smoothly over the sea, had taken them far from Doran’s men. The tension that had hung over them from the ambush was finally beginning to lift, and with no immediate threats in sight, they turned their attention to the ship itself.
"This thing is incredible," Morris said as he peered over the railing, watching the waves below shimmer under the setting sun. "I never imagined we’d be sailing in a magic-imbued ship."
Guinevere, standing nearby, nodded in agreement. "There’s powerful magic embedded in this ship. Whoever made it wasn’t an amateur."
Curiosity took hold of the group as they ventured deeper into the ship’s interior. The moment they stepped inside, they were met with spacious hallways lit by soft, glowing crystals that floated in mid-air, casting a warm light throughout the ship. The craftsmanship was intricate, with wooden panels carved with swirling designs that hummed with arcane energy.
As they explored, they eventually stumbled upon a large brass plaque near the entrance of the ship’s mini hall. Etched into the plaque, in elegant script, was the name of the ship: The Star Trailer.
"So that’s what it’s called," Sofia remarked, running her fingers over the engraved letters. "The Star Trailer… sounds fitting for a vessel that sails through both water and the skies."
Ethan pushed open a door further down the hall, revealing a cozy-looking room with two beds and a small desk. "There’s even enough space for all of us. This ship has six rooms!"
Kaelen nodded as they inspected each room one by one. "More than enough for the journey ahead."
They continued exploring the ship, their excitement growing with each new discovery. The mini hall at the center of the ship was adorned with comfortable seating and a long table, perfect for meals and meetings. Further down the hall, they found the kitchen area, equipped with magical stoves that could cook without firewood or coal.
But the highlight of the exploration came when they stumbled upon the bath area. A double set of doors led them into a space with two large bathing pools—one designated for boys, the other for girls. Steam rose from the hot water, which was fed by a continuous magical flow that kept the baths warm and soothing.
Guinevere immediately brightened at the sight. "Now this is a luxury I didn’t expect. We could all use a proper bath after everything we’ve been through."
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Morris whistled, impressed. "Whoever built this ship really thought of everything."
Sofia grinned. "I call dibs on the first bath!"
Just as the group was about to split off to their respective rooms or take advantage of the bath, Eldric, who had been suspiciously quiet during the tour, finally spoke up.
"You know…" he began, leaning casually against the wall, a sly grin creeping onto his face. "There’s no rule that says the boys’ and girls’ baths have to stay separate. I mean, we’re all friends here, right?"
Kaelen and the others froze, turning to look at Eldric with a mixture of disbelief and exasperation.
"Eldric…" Kaelen said, rubbing his temple in frustration and disbelief. "Do you know what you are saying?"
Eldric shrugged, the grin never leaving his face. "I’m just saying, it’s a big ship. Who knows what kind of fun we could have if—"
Guinevere, without missing a beat, raised her hand and conjured a small but intense fireball, the flames crackling dangerously in her palm. She smiled sweetly at Eldric. "Finish that sentence, and I’ll make sure you regret it."
Eldric immediately backed off, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright! I’m just kidding! No need to incinerate me."
Sofia rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "You’d think after all this time, you’d actually be a person who has boundaries or is not a pervert at the very least"
Morris snickered, giving Eldric a light shove. "I never knew you had this part in you huh?"
Kaelen, shaking his head with a faint smile, turned back to the others. "Alright, let’s not let Eldric ruin the moment. We’ve got a bit of time before we reach anywhere else, so let’s make ourselves at home. Take some rest, explore a bit more, or… enjoy the baths—separately."
With that, the group dispersed, some heading to their rooms, while others—especially Guinevere—made their way to the bath to relax after the long, intense day. Eldric, despite his earlier jokes, took the hint and retreated to his room, grumbling about how nobody appreciated his humor.
As Kaelen made his way to his own quarters, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of peace settling over him. For the first time in a long while, they were safe, and with the magic of The Star Trailer carrying them forward, there was hope that they could continue their journey without looking over their shoulders—at least for now.
....
In the dimly lit study of Doran’s residence, the air was thick with tension. The only sound was the quiet scratching of a quill as Doran worked on a letter at his desk, his face expressionless, though his eyes gleamed with malice. The soft flicker of candlelight cast long shadows on the walls, and the scent of ink and old parchment filled the room.
The door creaked open, and Doran’s top lieutenant stepped inside, his head low in shame. His face was pale from the long journey, and his clothes were still disheveled from the battle at the port. He approached the desk cautiously, his eyes avoiding Doran’s as much as possible.
"My lord," the lieutenant began, his voice low and trembling, "I regret to inform you that… Kaelen and his companions escaped. We ambushed them at the port as planned, but they managed to activate the ship—"
Before the man could finish, Doran slammed his hand down on the desk, the quill snapping under his fingers. His cold eyes snapped up to meet the lieutenant’s, burning with fury.
"Escaped?" Doran’s voice was deadly quiet, but there was no mistaking the rage behind it. "You let them escape?"
The lieutenant gulped, beads of sweat forming on his brow. "They had help… from someone skilled in lightning magic. We couldn’t stop them in time—"
Doran stood up abruptly, knocking his chair back with a loud crash. His movements were swift, too swift for the lieutenant to react. Before the man could take another breath, Doran’s hand shot forward, grabbing him by the throat.
"You failed me," Doran hissed, his grip tightening. "And now you’ve brought shame to our cause."
Snap!!!
The lieutenant struggled to speak, his hands clawing at Doran’s grip, but his strength was no match for Doran’s fury. With a cold, merciless expression, Doran squeezed harder, and with a sickening snap, the lieutenant’s body went limp. He dropped to the floor, lifeless, his failure sealed in blood.
Doran stared down at the corpse for a moment, his breath steadying. He ran a hand through his hair, straightening himself. The lieutenant had been a useful tool, but Doran had no room for weakness. Not now.
Calmly, as though nothing had happened, Doran stepped over the body and returned to his desk. He picked up a new quill, dipped it in ink, and resumed his writing, his hand steady and precise.
"We’ll see who has the last laugh," Doran muttered under his breath as he sealed the letter with a blood-red wax seal. He stamped his family’s insignia onto the letter and slid it into an envelope. The name of the recipient was written boldly on the front: Council of SuperNova Town.
SuperNova Town was known for its elite warriors and mages, a place where power and influence reigned supreme. If Kaelen and his companions were headed in that direction, Doran would make sure they were met with overwhelming force. He had allies in the city, powerful ones, and he was not about to let his plans be thwarted by a group of upstart adventurers.
A sinister smile tugged at the corner of Doran’s lips as he rose from his chair, walking toward the door. "They think they’ve escaped," he muttered to himself. "But they’re walking straight into their own demise."
As he opened the door, one of his surviving henchmen was waiting in the hallway. "Take this letter to SuperNova Town," Doran ordered, handing the sealed envelope to the man. "Make sure it reaches the council without delay. Tell them to prepare for our guests."
The henchman nodded quickly, taking the letter and rushing off to carry out the order.
Doran turned back, glancing briefly at the lifeless body of his fallen lieutenant before stepping over it without a second thought. He had more important things to deal with now—like the coming downfall of Kaelen and his friends. With SuperNova City alerted, their fate was all but sealed.
And Doran would make sure of it.