It was nighttime, and Draken was walking through the beautiful streets of Elyria. The roads were beautifully lit, and there was no darkness because even the shadows of the people walking around could not be seen. He kept looking around for the "house of the golden sword." He tried asking people, but for some reason, the people ignored him. "Hello madam," he said to one woman but before he could continue his sentence, the woman gave him a death stare. He just turned and went the other way. He kept asking the people who also kept ignoring him. Some of them even threatened to call the soldiers if he came closer. Draken did not understand why he was getting this kind of treatment, but he did not care. He kept asking and kept getting ignored until he saw a lady who walking about with a cloak covering her body. "Hello miss," he called. The lady turned and stared at him. "What can I do for you, little boy?" she asked. Draken run to her and said, "I wanted to ask if you could give me directions to the house of the golden sword," he replied gently looking into the eyes of the lady. "Oh you're looking for the general's house?" she asked. Draken nodded, and the lady turned to face the castle's east side. She stretched out her hand and pointed in a specific direction. "General Achilles's'' house is right down that lane. Just go ahead and move forward till the road diverts. Then take a left turn till the road splits, then take the right turn, then another left again and another right, then two rights turns, then two lefts turns, and in front of you would be the 'House of the Golden Sword.'" "Thank you, madam." "No problem little boy."
Draken began his walk, following the direction given to him by the woman. After walking for what seemed like five nimixs, he finally found it. The House of the Golden Sword was a sight to behold. It was the most beautiful structure Draken had seen since entering Elyria besides the castle. He gently knocked on it, but there was no answer. He knocked again and again, but there was no answer. After the third try, when there was no answer, Draken decided to use a knock he had learned in his home kingdom. He knocked once, then twice, four times, then five times. And he repeated it again. On the third try, the gates were opened. "What is it?" Achilles asked as he rushed out the door. He looked down and saw the person who had knocked on the door. "Oh," he said. "It's you, Draken." "Good evening, general," Draken said as he bowed down slightly. "I didn't think that you'd come today but you did," Achilles said. Draken smiled and nodded slightly. "But I must ask you, do you know who knocked on the door like that?" Achilles asked. "I did sir," Draken answered briefly. Achilles looked at him suspiciously and asked, "How did you know that knock?" "I don't know. Maybe I '....'," Draken said muffling something under his breath. "What did you say?" Achilles asked. "Maybe I picked it up in Wysteria because my home was in one of the soldier district." "Okay," Achilles said with half belief. "Anyways," Achilles said, opening the gates to get out of the house. "Do you want to take a stroll with me?" "Yes, sir," Draken said as Achilles led the way, and he followed up.
She sneakily and quietly walked through the hallway, trying not to get caught. She saw about a dozen people walking in her direction. She quickly jumped behind one of the statues and stayed there until they passed. After the people had passed, she crept out of her hiding place. She was walking towards her quarters when she heard someone call her. "Clovis!" She slowly turned around to see who had called her. "Ophelia..." she said as she started laughing and rushed towards her with open arms. "Don't you dare hug me, miss. Where were you?" "I..., I..., I wa.," "You were down there, weren't you?" "No, no, no... yes." "You know we had a meeting, right?" Clovis nodded. "And you decided to miss it, again." "Those meetings bore me to death, and I can't die." Ophelia was about to say something when Clovis covered her mouth. Ophelia looked back and saw a god clothed in full armor. "Hello, ladies," he greeted, bowing his head a little. "Hey, Daxton," both ladies replied, also bowing their heads. Daxton smiled and went away. When he was out of ear's reach, Ophelia turned and said, "You're lucky the register wasn't taken today." "What can I say? I am... the goddess of luck," Clovis said as she slowly walked away. "Girl, come back here. I'm not done with you." "But I am," Clovis said as he ignored her and went to her quarters. "Done with you."
"I received another call to come to the castle today. I'm assuming it's because of you, right?" Achilles asked as they both sat on the grassy floor. Draken nodded. "I did tell you that your job would get you in trouble," Achilles said, trying to discourage Draken. "It was Zara's decision and I can't disobey it," Draken answered, and Achilles replied saying, "You're as stubborn as I was." "What do mean?" Draken asked. "Instead of a long explanation why don't I tell you a story about my life since I came to Elyria so that you'll see that we're similar?" "Okay but if it is boring I'll never listen to your stories again." Achilles laughed and said, "Okay, I'll try to make it nice to your liking."
A gentle knock on the door woke her up. "Come in," she said. "Clovis," a gentle voice called. Clovis rose and sat on her bed, causing her cover cloth to slide off her body and onto the floor. The man immediately averted his eyes. Clovis, still oblivious to what was happening, rose from the bed, displaying her full nakedness. "Wh? What's wrong?" Clovis asked as she stretched her body, still not realising what was going on. "Clovis ..., uh, um, you're..." Clovis looked at herself and saw what the god was seeing. "Aaah, how long have I been naked?" "Since I entered." "And you didn't tell me. Haven." "I'm sorry, sis." "It's okay, you can look now." "Are you sure?" "Yes, I'm sure." Haven slowly removed his hands to see Clovis fully dressed. "Did you get it?" Clovis asked. Haven took a book from his cloak and handed it to Clovis. "Did anyone see you?" "No," "Isn't Zara going to go ballistic if she finds out you have one of her books," Haven said, taking a box from his cloak. "And what is this?" Clovis asked. "Mortal food." Clovis hugged her brother. "Aww, bro. You're the best crossed light I could hope for." She planted a kiss on Haven's cheek making him blush and leave.
"Long ago, which is about fifteen years ago, my home Willowswips or the Valley of the Whispering Wind in Nyxoria, was attacked because my kingdom waged war against Elyria and Willowswips was the center of our military base. We or they fought valiantly, and the war lasted a full year until Elyria's mighty power crushed us. I was ten at that time, and I had to watch destruction firsthand because of a stupid thing one of our leaders did towards Elyria. Some of our best and able-bodied men were captured. Our fertile women were captured and unless the Elyrians of the time knew how to use magic, how would you know someone is fertile without testing first?" Draken smirked, and Achilles continued. "The general of the time went by the name of Perseus, and he was the one who led the charge against Willowswips. We journeyed for days, but once we arrived at the castle our chains were removed and we have not chained nor bound since. We were treated properly. After two days of walking, we finally made it to Eldrida, not the kingdom but the capital of Elyria with the same name. When we got here, we did that same lucky draw job choosing method through which..." "You became a soldier and worked your way up the ranks to become the best-known warrior in the nine kingdoms and beyond to the farthest corners of the world," Draken answered. Achilles chuckled and said, "Not quite. I became the slave of the princess." Draken looked at him dumbfounded. Before he could say anything, Achilles got up and started walking toward the town. "Where're you going?" he asked. "It's the middle division (12 am) and also time for me to sleep. It's been two aethons since you came for me." "But you did not finish the story and you're a grown man. You're literally the second known person after the royal family." "I'm third actually," Achilles corrected. "That doesn't matter but since when do people like you care about their bedtime?" "I'm a warrior, and warriors need their sleep so the same time tomorrow," Draken agreed, and they both walked to Achilles' home.
"Don't worry, my son. Very soon, you'll be with me." Clovis said as she crossed something out of the book Haven had given her.