Three days later.
"Ugh—haa!!"
Stretching and yawning, Duke stepped out from the cabin and onto the deck, where he immediately spotted Fiora — the Sword Maiden — already deep into her morning practice.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...
The air split again and again as her blade cut through it with flawless rhythm. Fiora darted and twisted across the deck, her body light and sharp, like a butterfly flitting through a field of steel. Every thrust and slash of her runesteel rapier produced a crisp, ear-piercing sound.
With her left hand clasped neatly behind her back, Fiora held her blade in her right, maintaining the rigid posture of Demacia's formal dueling rites. Every step, every swing — even the very stance one took before a duel — was dictated by those ancient codes.
Such ceremonial precision, according to Duke, was nothing more than taking off your pants to fart — completely unnecessary.
To him, all that rigid elegance was simply a way for "civilized men" to disguise the savagery of killing beneath a veneer of grace.
Noticing Duke's arrival, Fiora gracefully slowed her movements, sheathed her sword, and straightened her posture.
"Good morning, my lord Duke."
"How long are you going to keep calling me that?"
Duke leaned against the railing at the bow. The ship itself had once been a derelict fishing vessel, but after Duke acquired it through "Project 400," he and Pride had refitted it — cleaning off the grime, patching the hull, and installing an engine along with an autopilot system.
"Courtesy must never be abandoned," Fiora replied, tone serious and proper as always.
Duke rolled his eyes. "Oh, please. You just want to stab a few holes in me — don't use manners as an excuse."
Fiora's expression didn't waver. "I would never let personal grudges interfere with my duty."
"See? You're still planning to get even with me."
"I'll reclaim my honor and name through a proper duel."
"Fine by me — as long as you're not afraid of losing and facing the consequences."
Duke snorted, leaning lazily against the rail. "You know, you were a lot cuter yesterday."
"If there's nothing else, I'll go wash up."
"Yeah, sure."
Waving her off, Duke turned back toward the horizon. They were close now — Greenfang Peak was just ahead, and the Forbidden Stone Forest lay beyond it.
The ship glided smoothly across the mirror-like surface of the river. The water was so still it perfectly reflected the heavens, making it hard to tell where the sky ended and the world began.
The last of night's darkness faded as dawn's cold light began to spread.
They were now far from the capital, sailing deep into the lush countryside. The only sounds were the steady rhythm of the current and the soft dip of the paddles. From distant villages came the occasional crowing of a rooster, announcing morning.
On both sides of the river, the land began to rise into gentle, uneven hills.
Pale stone outcroppings jutted from the earth, with rows of trees separated by misty valleys. Farmland lay divided by low walls, each plot fed by the fertile soil below.
Shaggy oxen lifted their heads to watch the passing ship. On the southern bank, a herdsman waved in greeting to the Falcon.
The vessel startled a flock of river hawks from their reeds — they shrieked sharply, wings flashing, beaks snapping before they dove back beneath the surface.
These birds, fierce and difficult to tame, were much like ospreys — alert, sharp, and free.
When daylight fully broke, the wind began to rise again. Duke ordered Idis to raise the sails and use the engine's thrust to increase speed.
They stopped briefly at a small riverside village to resupply before continuing onward.
By noon, the jagged treetops of Greenfang Peak appeared on the horizon.
Duke sat at the bow, fishing while teaching Lux the basics of Hextech engineering. Fiora, to avoid any awkwardness, had gone back into the cabin to steer — even though with Idis controlling the vessel, there was no real need. Duke let her be; at least it kept her busy.
A shrill cry suddenly echoed from the distant mountains. Lux looked up.
"Teacher, look — a dragonbird!"
Duke followed her gaze and saw three of the majestic creatures circling high above the clouds.
They swooped down to hover about a hundred feet above the ship, performing graceful rolls as the cloaks of their riders traced arcs of color through the air.
After a brief moment shadowing the ship, the dragonbird knights turned and departed — likely scouts from the nearby Aerie City.
Soon, the ship rounded a bend, revealing several white-stone forts and watchtowers built against the ridges of the Greenfang range — perilous, yet magnificent.
"Look, Teacher — that's Eternal Peak!" Lux pointed excitedly toward a fortress perched atop the cliffs.
Duke followed her gaze, seeing a grand citadel — its slender bridges of white stone connecting towers like strands of a spider's web. Blue triangular flags fluttered in the thin mountain air, higher even than Greenfang's tallest ridge.
Fiora emerged from the cabin, frowning slightly — she had discovered that the ship could sail itself. All her earlier effort had been wasted. She shot Duke a glare.
"As one of Demacia's few dragonbird bases, it's said to be among the most important," she remarked.
"My father once said from there, the dragonbird patrols can see the entire border," Lux added.
"That's impressive." Duke chuckled, ruffling Lux's hair. Then he noticed a stone jetty ahead, jutting into the river — their next stop.
"All right, bring us in!"
As the ship eased toward the dock, Pride and Gluttony both transformed and leapt ashore, securing the area.
A sharp cry rang from above — a great falcon descended, and a figure emerged from the treeline, walking toward them.
The bird landed gracefully upon the stranger's outstretched arm.
Recognizing the falcon, Duke smiled.
"Long time no see, Quinn."
Before the gangway was even lowered, he called out to the woman approaching — his old acquaintance from Demacia.
Quinn bowed sharply. "My lord Duke."
"I received orders to await your arrival here," she explained.
"Tch. Typical Jarvan — always making a big fuss."
Duke clicked his tongue. Quinn didn't react, merely continued her report. After Duke, Lux, and Fiora disembarked, she asked, "Shall we head to the nearest outpost now?"
"Are the anti-magic stones ready?"
"They are."
"Good. The outpost can wait — I'd rather stretch my legs first. And you don't have to be so formal with me."
"I heard what happened in the capital. Your actions earned you great admiration, I—"
"Stop, stop, stop. Take us to the Stone Forest first." Duke waved her off, then turned to Lux. "You stay behind. That place isn't safe for mages. Go with Quinn to the workshop and help inspect the anti-magic stones."
"Got it!" Lux nodded obediently.
"Good. Quinn, take Lux and Fiora to the workshop. I'll head to the Forbidden Stone Forest."
"As your guard, I can't let you go alone," Fiora objected stiffly. "This is Demacia's border. I must remain close to you."
Duke sighed. "Fine, fine — suit yourself."
Quinn didn't argue. She knew she couldn't overrule him — not by rank, not by power.
"Oh, here — a little something for you." Duke handed her several compact gadgets. "Lux can show you how to use them."
"I can't possibly accept"
"Think of it as a reward for waiting here for days. We're friends, aren't we?"
With a casual wave, Duke concluded, "All right then — Lux and Quinn, go to the workshop. Fiora, with me to the Stone Forest."
With the plan set, Duke turned toward the looming silhouette of Greenfang Peak — where the air itself seemed stripped of magic.
The only thing that could cause such a void was the Forbidden Stone Forest itself.
He gave Pride and Gluttony the day off, summoned his flyer, and took off with Fiora toward the eerie horizon.
Watching them depart, Quinn sighed — she had no choice but to follow orders.
"So… how does this thing work?" she asked, examining the web-shooter-like device Duke had given her.
Lux smiled. "First, you need to..."
Half an hour later.
The outline of the Stone Forest came into view. Duke and Fiora landed nearby, their boots crunching against gravel.
A massive stag-like creature appeared before them — towering, with gray horns and a bone-plated brow. Its mane bristled thickly down its neck.
"This is...?"
"Likely a Stonehorn beast," Fiora said. "They've lived in the forest for ages. This one must have wandered out by mistake."
"In that case," Duke clapped his hands, "let's send the big guy home. This place isn't for him."
"Agreed."
Together, they herded the beast back into the forest — and before they knew it, they had crossed the boundary themselves.
As the Stonehorn disappeared into the mist, Duke looked around, eyes wide in awe.
"...Incredible."
End of chapter....
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