The docks of Solvius Port bustled with tension. Cargo crates thudded against wood, sails flapped under the weight of sea wind, and sailors shouted in six different dialects — a choir of barely controlled chaos.

  Rell stood at the edge of the harbor, gazing at the massive three-mast ship that would carry them east to the Elven Kingdom. He didn’t flinch when a gull dropped something suspiciously wet onto the boards near his foot.

  “Ocean world… loud,” he muttered, scratching his head.

  Ko Mala swung down from a rope hanging off a post, upside down. “Ships are like trees that float. Loud trees. With drunk squirrels running them.”

  Thessia adjusted the straps of her armor as she approached. “I don’t like this. Elven kingdoms don’t usually welcome outsiders, especially not humans with kids who were… involved in anything Church-related.”

  “They take back own,” Rell replied. “Right thing.”

  Before Thessia could respond, a quiet gasp broke the air behind them.

  “Rell…?”

  They all turned.

  Lirah stood at the foot of the gangplank — taller than before, her hair washed and braided with silver cord, eyes wide with surprise and something softer. Gratitude.

  “Lirah!” Ko Mala chirped, waving both arms.

  She ran, barefoot, and threw her arms around Rell.

  If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

  “You kept your promise…”

  He froze, then hugged her back — awkwardly but gently.

  “Safe, you are. Good.”

  Thessia watched with a faint smile while Ko Mala made a show of wiping a fake tear.

  From the deck above, a voice called, “Oi! Lovebirds can board or bounce!”

  They looked up. A familiar smirk leaned over the railing — Nexya, sitting cross-legged on a barrel with a dagger twirling between her fingers.

  “Thought you’d leave without me?” she said, hopping down with her usual wild grace.

  Rell tilted his head. “You come?”

  She blinked. “You… want me to?”

  He nodded without hesitation. “You help save eggs. Now… important.”

  For once, Nexya blushed. She turned her head quickly. “Tch. Don’t make it weird.”

  The crew loaded onto the ship. Children who had survived the ordeal were settled in makeshift quarters below deck, Lirah helping organize them with quiet maturity.

  Rell leaned over the railing as the ship began to drift. The ocean glittered like spilled light.

  Behind them, Solvius faded — a blur of stone, steel, and schemes.

  Ahead: the unknown.

  Rell didn’t fear it.

  “Home next,” he whispered to Lirah beside him.

  She nodded.

  And so, the ship carried them east — toward roots lost, families broken, and a kingdom waiting to reckon with what had been stolen.

  ---

  **End of Chapter**