Awoken to the bells of the church, the boys had shot up and began their work.

  Over the past week they have significantly been able to develop themselves and even began to fill out their clothing thanks to all the porridge, bread and even meat that they’ve been eating. A true blessing to be able to have consistently filling meals, something unimaginable to their past selves. Blake and Jace had cried the first few meals they had had.

  Today would be busy, a week had gone by since Jace and Blake had joined Lance in his business venture, they would find Lance sneaking off every day, returning with new goods to sell, never giving them an inkling as to where he gets it from, but they never asked him, for they feared it would draw his annoyance and they will not risk earning his ire.

  As of recent he had introduced two new fish to Jack who loved the new produce, having been able to make a great deal more money than he ever thought possible. Though this has not gone unnoticed by the gang whose territory covers the market, The Half Hands, named as such due to their boss, a hulking man of muscle missing half of his left hand. It’s said that he had lost his hand from a Waxen, an eel like monster that inhabits the sewers of many cities. Unfortunately, this has led to Jack having to make a steeper ‘protection fee’, but as he is making more profit it wasn’t that great of an issue, not that he had a say in the matter.

  “Hurry up today Jace, you got the carps and tilapia as well?”

  “Yes yes, I won’t be long, I can’t miss it”

  They’ve had to be extremely careful, especially as others have noticed their dealings with Jack and want a piece of the action, changing their routes is a part of this, as well as having 6 meet up spots. As an extra layer of security, Lance had created a number of birds that will follow the two boys when they make their runs, improving their intelligence very minorly and their size to give them an edge should they need to aid in an escape. Luckily, they haven’t had any issues as of yet, but realistically it is only a matter of time before something happens.

  Twiddling with a summoned kitchen knife, Lance got to finishing counting their accrued wealth over the week as Jace headed out to make the sale to Jack.

  “That’s 192 coppers, if converted, that’s almost 2 silvers. You found anywhere we can go Blake?”

  “No luck, anything that you’re looking for is owned by the gangs, sorry”

  “It’s alright just keep your eye out”,

  Collecting his things, they both headed out, Lance petting the two large Huskies before leaving that he had assigned to guard the base. They had both been augmented with the 25% size increase making them stand at approximately 29 inches at the shoulder which had made them a very intimidating sight to behold, so much so that both Blake and Jace prefer to keep their distance from them.

  Taking a deep breath of the smothered air, Lance and Blake, discreetly moved the planks guarding the entrance to their base, after making sure that it was clear, they began making their way to the port.

  After having had summoned some paper and a pencil, Lance has made it his mission to draw a map of the slums, as best as he can at least, luckily he found they weren’t far off from the edge of the Port of Eruden, which was a marvel of a sight, crates littered the docks and walk ways, a thriving fish market hugged the length of the coastal sea wall, and a number of Inns welcomed in weary travellers. The port is never not busy, a hub of trade for the kingdom exporting and importing vast amounts of resources every day.

  On their way they avoided some of the more dangerous alleys, known for housing dangerous scum, Lance assured by the pattering feet of the rats behind him, keeping themselves hidden.

  The port was busy as ever, the sun providing a blistering heat to the working sailors, a pungent smell of body odour and fish hit their noses as they slipped past the guards and entering the port, making sure to dodge the plethora of workers carrying crates of fish, crab, spices and clothes.

  Merchants filled their carriages with goods preparing for a long day’s travel, they wouldn’t get the best profit selling it here, the demand is further inland.

  Lance and Blake struggled to push themselves through the bulging crowd, an indication of what was to come, everyone trying to find their place, to gain the best view. After finally managing to squeeze through the crowd they dropped down the sea wall onto an outcropping they had spied days earlier in preparation. Hours passed before Jace plopped down next to them.

  “Still not hear yet?”

  “Have a look” Lance pointed towards the Horizon, where a ship of great size was making its way towards them, its sails a silvery blue with an emblem of a white dragon’s head staring face on with Sky blue eyes. The ship itself was made of a white wood, presenting an odd look, though it screamed of wealth and nobility, adorned with gold and jewels, not a ship of war, but one to make an impression.

  “MOVE! MOVE!” shouts came from up above, the guards must be making their move, creating a walkway for the arrival of the esteemed guests. But people wouldn’t miss what was to come, nay, they couldn’t miss it, a screech like a shooting star skipped across the ocean hitting the ears of all in the port, causing them to look up in sync.

  “It’s here” Lance muttered to himself.

  A silhouette appeared swooping down at great speed, settling above the water, skimming the surface and passing the Measta, the flagship of the Silvia Kingdom. Its great size creating enough wind pressure to impact the sea leaving a trail of waves behind it, its four legs scraping the water as it rushed towards them, distance closing in a matter of seconds causing the beast to veer up, to the sky. The onrushing wind hit the docked boats like a hurricane causing them to violently rock back and forth, as everyone else braced themselves.

  “Dragon” Blake spoke this time, his voice catching, eyes stuck open, not allowing himself a chance to miss such an event.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  Yes, a dragon, The White Dragon of the Silvia Kingdom from across the sea, the current ride of Princess SiderealPrincess of the StarsStarlightAstraStar VoyagerMeissa

  is never far. His actions led to the burning of the Bayal Palace and the subsequent crumbling of the Royal Family leading to a power vacuum. The Bayal Kingdom is still at war with itself to this day, Nobles still vying for power.

  A message had been sent that day, don’t mess with the Princess of the Stars

  Such an important guest had meant that the Port of Eruden had been turned into a veritable red carpet, guards watched over the slums to prevent any of its peoples from approaching the famed princess. The Marchioness had pulled out all the stops as she could not afford a mistake, she would no doubt lose her position of nobility with her lands and titles stripped if she is to dissatisfy the Princess.

  Lance, Blake and Jace have had to sneak through the guards to be able to witness this event in all its glory.

  Knights flooded the port, duty bound to ensure nothing was to go wrong with the arrival of the Silvia entourage. They could not afford to offend such a wealthy kingdom, particularly one with a Dragon at its beck and call.

  As the Dragon circled above, the Measta arrived, presenting a daunting picture of nobility, knights clad in silvery metal plate armour that Lance had not the knowledge to discern exited the ship first, and escorted a gentleman in silken robes who approached the Knight Captain.

  Words were exchanged that Lance could not hear though after exchanging a few words and a couple nods, the gentleman turned and beckoned at the ship. A number of people disembarked the ship, one of which was covered in a veil, but her form no doubt womanly, they approached, walking past the sea wall and out of view of the boys.

  “Holy shit”, Jace’s heart rate elevated to such an extent that he feared it would never go back down, perspiration flooded his forehead. The other boys were no different.

  “I wonder how much that ship cost” Lance mumbled, as the two others gave him a look, “Probably more than this city”.

  After returning from their outing, Lance had a renewed vigour and passion. He had the potential to make something of himself in this world, the Legacy of Earth will open that path for him, but he must earn his place.

  Turning the corner, they all froze, as 4 men holding misshapen metal blades and wooden clubs eyed them up.

  “There you are boys; we were growing a bit impatient you see.” The largest of the men had a wide set grin on his face, holding his damaged blade with a firm grip, his eyes never leaving the boys.

  “Well, if it isn’t obvious, we know your base is around here, and Mr Half Hand has decided it’s about time that you pay up, considering your operating on his land, after all. So, your options are very very simple, show us to your base and pay up, or don’t show us. Simple as that.”

  Lance gulped.

  Lance reached into his pocket, pulling out his knife.

  “Lance what are you doing” Blake whispered in a rush, “We can’t fight them”

  “Just trust me”, seeing the young boy in the middle pull out his own blade, the grin left the man’s face, his scarred lips contorting, brows furrowing in anger. Not saying another word he started walking towards the boys, as did the other three, flaunting their wooden clubs.

  Blake and Jace backed away slowly, unsure of Lance’s plan, but they knew Lance was no idiot, and Lance knew that the fools didn’t know that they are already right next to his base.

  “PROTECT!!!” Lance gave it his all, a keyword that all of his summons recognised.

  The men froze but for a moment in confusion, however their strides soon continued, boots squelching through the mud.

  *BANG* *CRUNCH*

  The panel blocking off their base came crashing through as two hulking huskies barrelled into two of the approaching men, knocking them onto their backs as they began mauling their arms, chest and face, their wooden clubs doing naught but annoy the amped up huskies.

  “Fuck!!” turning, the large man attempted to help his fallen comrades about to deal a fatal blow to a husky with his blade, when a murder of crows assailed him and the other man, pecking at their eyes and ears.

  “What?!” “What!?” Blake and Jace found no further words to express their shock.

  Lance ran towards the flailing large man, as a cavalry of rats bounded out behind him, driving his knife into the gut of the man, before pulling back quickly to avoid a wild swing. He let the rats scale the man’s body joining the crows in slowly flailing the man alive, moving around the panicked man he slowly made his way to the other man, noting that one of the huskies had finished off their prey and had joined in mauling the remaining poor sod on the ground.

  The last guy had few crows lay dead around him, having been unlucky enough to have been smashed by the wooden club in his hands, but there was still 3 more that were bombarding him with attacks. Quickly closing the distance Lance slashed the man’s thigh cutting deep and continuing to run past him as the man had tried to hit whatever had ‘bit’ him, but this just aloud the crows to get some more damaging pecks in, refocusing his attacks on them, not noticing the boy behind gearing up for a deadly blow.

  Blake and Jace looked on in abject horror, the Huskies beautiful coasts was now covered in blood, their maws dripping with tattered flesh as they panted after a job well done. Around 6 crows had lost their lives in the assault, but the rats had all stayed alive. They had focused on the wound inflicted by Lance, opening it further till the man’s intestines had literally fallen out, his arm had still been swinging as they chewed on his hanging intestines and as they had made their way into his stomach. A sight they soon wouldn’t forget as they began throwing up in concert with each other.

  Lance avoided looking at the bodies as best as he could but swiped whatever money he could from them.

  “Focus, we need to move now, get everything you can carry from the base. We need to disappear”.

  “What was that-”

  “Stop. If you want, stay here and let Half Hand find you. Any survival bone in your body, come with me now”.

  The boys worked fast fastening bags full of items to the huskies, who Lance had splashed with water to get the blood off them, though he made them role in the mud again to mask their fur coats.

  “What’s the plan? We have nowhere to go.”

  “Don’t worry about that I’ve found a location that’ll be good for us, I was planning on moving us there in a few days anyways,” Grabbing the last pouch of copper coins and stuffing it into a bag, Lance led the way through the winding cluttered streets of the slum. The boys found themselves on a mild incline walking higher and higher, till eventually they stood at the cliffs.

  “Why bring us to the Wailing Cliffs?” Blake asked, named as such due to many of the slum’s peoples choosing the plummet off the edge as their end, rather than starvation or despair.

  Lance didn’t answer, but led them down a precarious and rocky path, about halfway down the cliff until they reached an opening.

  “A cave” Jace muttered to himself. Both Jace and Blake shared a look, caves where dangerous, a location not for humans that housed many creatures of the dark, from the pale green skinned goblins to cave spiders, few dared ventures into the deeps of the world.

  Lance saw their look “I know, just trust me, it’s been checked”.

  They made their way carefully through the dark passage, holding onto the wall and fur of the huskies as their only form of guides in the cave.

  The skittering feet of the rats that followed them from behind, made them nervous, the echoing caws of the crows from the entrance cementing the foreboding and ominous atmosphere, but all that worry and anxiety, the tension that had built up, all washed away when they saw it.

  A beautiful expansive cavern. At the centre, a large pool of glowing water, lit up by blue crystals below, creating a blue hue of light that settled around the stalactites like a mist.

  Lance turned to them as the Huskies continued plodding in.

  “Welcome to our new home”.