Jen looked up at him, a curious tilt in her head. "What about the elf sisters? Are they coming with you too? And… are they taking Sister Sylra?"

Before Lumberling could reply, a soft voice came from behind them. "No," Sylra said gently, stepping forward with a faint smile. "I'll be staying here with you."

Her calm presence was soon joined by Aurelya, Thessalia, and Vaenyra, who approached side by side. The soldiers nearby turned their heads, unable to hide their curiosity at the sight of the elegant elves.

"Only five of us will travel," Thessalia said, her calm tone steady as she looked toward Lumberling and Liraeth.

"Only us?" Liraeth asked, a hint of concern crossing her face. "Wouldn't that be too few?"

Lumberling shook his head lightly. "It'll be enough. We don't need a large group for this journey. Fewer people will draw less attention."

Vaenyra nodded in agreement. "We'll leave our subordinates here to protect your territory while we're gone. Elaria, one of our trusted people, a Circle Five mage will oversee everything in our place."

Liraeth's expression softened. "Thank you, Vaenyra. That means a lot."

Vaenyra gave a graceful nod. "Of course. It's only right that we protect what's ours."

A few hours later, the group gathered before the grand gates of Liraeth's fortress. Soldiers and workers paused from their duties, watching as their viscount prepared to leave once more.

Lumberling stood beside Liraeth, his armor light and travel-ready, while Aurelya, Thessalia, and Vaenyra checked their mounts. The horses pawed at the ground impatiently.

Eldric, Uncle Drake, Jen, and Sylra stood nearby to see them off. Jen hugged Liraeth tightly. "Take care, Sister Liraeth."

"I will," Liraeth said softly, brushing a hand through Jen's hair.

Aurelya approached Jen and Sylra. "You two better not slack off while we're gone. Next time we meet, I'll be testing both of you."

Sylra bowed her head slightly, a small smile on her lips. "Understood, Sister Aurelya. We won't disappoint you."

Aurelya gave a faint smile in return before stepping back beside Lumberling.

Up on the fortress wall, Gordon and Sorrin stood shoulder to shoulder, watching the group prepare to leave. The heavy gates were already beginning to open, their hinges creaking as the sunlight spilled across the courtyard.

"I'm glad the lady's found her happiness," Gordon said quietly, his gaze following Liraeth's figure as she adjusted her cloak. "She's been through a lot."

Sorrin nodded slowly, arms crossed over his chest. "Aye… though I still can't believe those elves are Lord Lumberling's lovers. One of them's said to be strong enough to rival a Legate. And they're beautiful too. I just hope he takes good care of Lady Liraeth."

Gordon chuckled softly. "It's surprising, that's for sure. But you can see it in her eyes—she trusts him. She'll be alright. The lady's in good hands."

The gates creaked open fully, and the group rode out, Lumberling at the front, with Liraeth and the elves following close behind.

…..

Their cloaks fluttered softly in the wind as they left the fortress walls behind. All five wore hooded garments to conceal their faces, the presence of three striking elves and a noblewoman would have drawn far too much attention on the open road.

Days turned to weeks as they crossed plains, followed winding forest paths, and passed through quiet villages touched by the war's shadow. They avoided crowded places, choosing backroads and river crossings whenever they could. On rare occasions, they passed small patrols, both enemy and friendly, but they kept their heads low, slipping past unnoticed.

Despite the long travel, Liraeth had grown closer to the elves, especially Aurelya, who often rode beside her. When they made camp, Aurelya would teach her the fundamentals of elemental control, how to sense the flow of mana, how to guide it with focus and breath.

Meanwhile, Thessalia and Vaenyra resumed Lumberling's magic training and combat techniques. When they weren't teaching, they sparred.

One morning, after setting camp near a riverbank, the air shimmered as blades of light streaked across the clearing. Lumberling twisted his body, barely dodging Aurelya's thrust as her rapier whistled past his cheek, leaving a faint trace of warmth in the air.

"That's not fair," Lumberling grunted, stepping back and spinning his spear in a defensive arc. Sparks of golden flame danced along her blade, each swing cutting through the air with deadly precision.

Aurelya smiled, her golden hair fluttering as light flickered around her. "Then stop holding back."

He chuckled, tightening his stance. "Easy for you to say. You're mixing elements with your strikes again."

"Of course I am," she replied lightly, her eyes glowing faintly. "You've already surpassed me in the Knight's path. If I don't use my magic, I'll be at a disadvantage."

Her rapier shimmered as mana along its hilt flared to life. Light and gold fire intertwined around the blade, forming a radiant spiral. With a burst of speed, she vanished from sight, appearing just at his flank.

Lumberling's instincts screamed. He swept his spear sideways, the shaft colliding with her rapier in a burst of light. The ground beneath them cracked from the impact.

"You've gotten faster," he said, pushing her back.

Aurelya slid a few steps, the edges of her boots digging into the stone. "And you've gotten stronger," she shot back, thrusting her rapier forward again. Each strike came like lightning-fast and impossible to predict.

"Don't just rely on your Knight path," she said between blows. "Use your elements. Blend them with your strikes."

Lumberling's breathing steadied as he focused. Mana surged through his body, and faint sparks of lightning danced along his skin, and his movements grew quicker. Lightning was the element he understood best, the one that came most naturally to him.

He then infused fire into his spear. And a faint heaviness settled on his limbs, the pull of gravity magic intertwining with his movements. The combination felt unstable, almost unnatural, like fighting while holding a fragile flame that could burn him if he lost control.

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