Inside an inn within Strix-Okar, a group listened to a report from a figure Caspian would have recognised.
"Your Highness, I saw the half-breed enter the dungeon outside the city a few hours ago. I made an excuse to leave my shift early to bring you this information."
A slimy smile spread across Vorgath's face.
"Do you want a medal? My father already promised rewards to those who follow him—you included."
His voice carried clear admonishment.
The rotund royal guard, sweating heavily, apologised at once.
"I'm sorry, I meant no offence! I just wanted you and your father to know how far I'm willing to go for our cause!"
Vorgath clicked his tongue.
"Very well. Is he still in the dungeon?"
The guard relaxed slightly.
"No, Your Highness. He left with a girl and is heading toward the warp portals in the city."
Vorgath tapped his fingers against the table, reviewing the information and forming a plan.
A poisonous smile appeared as he reached a conclusion.
"It seems the girl is his weak link. If we get to her… he'll fall into our hands easily."
One of the dragons spoke up.
Unlike the guard, he sounded confident—rightfully so, as he was a seasoned expert.
"Your Highness, do we really need to go that far? If he's planning to visit all the dungeons in Drakonia, we can predict his route and ambush him. He wouldn't even last against me alone, let alone all of us."
He finished with an arrogant scoff.
Vorgath's eyes flashed with irritation at being challenged.
He quickly masked it with his usual fake friendliness.
"That would be sensible. Maybe before, I'd agree. But you didn't see him that day. I underestimated him once—I won't do it again. He has a secret, he must. No one becomes a sword master overnight."
His voice rose slightly, recalling the humiliation.
"We move carefully. We take the bait and use it to trap him somewhere he can't escape."
He continued more calmly.
"My half-breed cousin has been ruthless since waking up. You've all heard the reports—the training yard, the bookstore. I won't fail my father again because of pride. Am I clear?"
His tone allowed no disagreement.
The group reluctantly agreed.
"Good."
He stood, adjusted his clothes, and walked out with confident swagger.
Behind the smile, however, was a man ready to betray anyone to achieve his father's ambitions.
________
What Vorgath and the others didn't realise was that a faint shadow in the corner had reacted to every word.
It slipped along the wall, across the ground, and through the streets until it reached another inn.
Inside a private suite, the shadow revealed itself as Vaxen, Sera and Caspian's old butler.
He twirled his moustache thoughtfully.
"Thalric was right to have me watch over His Highness… it seems he's made a dangerous enemy."
_______
After completing the first dungeon, Caspian and Kala headed to the city's warp portals.
These portals were the pride of dragonkind.
So revolutionary that they had spread across the world.
They were now the primary means of transportation throughout Drakonia and beyond, connecting continents and races alike.
The portal hub was housed in a vast, grand structure.
Caspian was surprised by how much it resembled an airport back on Earth.
There were clear arrival and departure sections.
Security was equally strict.
However, the royal crest on his carriage granted them access to a VIP passage without issue.
The sight beyond was breathtaking.
Multiple warp portals stood in formation—large circular constructs threaded with thick streams of mana flowing like living electricity.
Staff coordinated the movement of thousands of travellers.
A royal guard escorted them to their assigned portal.
They remained inside the carriage as he knocked on the window.
Caspian opened it, and the hum of energy mixed with the chatter of travellers poured in.
"Your Highness, this is the portal to the city of Talon's Reach. We've sent word ahead—they're expecting you."
Caspian nodded and closed the window.
Moments later, the carriage rolled forward into the massive swirling portal that pulsed with energy—
As if ready to pull them into another world.