A week later, under the guidance of a pilot boat, a fast coastal sailing ship flying the thorny flower crest of Green Vein City slowly pulled up to Pier 3 of Minas Tirith Port.
Velin stood on the pier, the sea breeze stirring the hem of his linen coat. Behind him was a neatly formed honor guard, as well as a crowd of onlookers who had heard the news and come craning their necks to watch.
The gangway was lowered, and a group of noble-looking people disembarked.
Leading them was Count Leman, dressed in black formal attire, his expression inscrutable.
Following closely behind was a middle-aged noble who bore a slight resemblance to Velin but possessed a gentler, more refined temperament—none other than Velin's father, Baron Kaman.
The last to disembark were two young men with complex expressions. They were Velin's two older brothers who served in the military, Matthew and Samuel.
