Something Immortal

20: Adventures at the Sage Lake Crossing Part Two

Saanvi's pocket watch didn't look like a pocket watch. In fact, it was far from it. But the Harpy could read it like any ordinary timepiece, and Som wager a bet that it reveals more than the time itself.

"What is that?" he asked.

"A sundial. It's programmed to let me know if a hidden territory is about to open. This one is for the Sage Lake Crossing."

Mica was also very interested to hear a device like this existed in her possession, "Why do you have that? It's a rare magical item only intended for their kind."

Saanvi, "Malee gave it to me."

"Oh..." the brothers said, and even Som was speechless.

"So, what does it say?" Mica carefully pried.

"We need to hurry because the entrance to the Sage Lake Crossing will only stay open for thirty minutes," she said before turning to Som once more, "Quick, use your magic and create an illusion around us. We need to look like harmless merchants to enter the city. Better if you can make us look like something else."

Something else? If he could make them appear like a Leshy, that would be better, but that would be too far a stretch. Grinning, he thought of something else and better.

"A Druid?" Mica couldn't believe it as he gazed at his reflection in the water. "Wow, I never thought I'll experience being a Druid."

Saanvi, "You didn't change much in our appearance."

Som, "It's an illusion. To the eyes of the beholder, you're as harmless as a bird. Relax."

The comparison made the Harpy grimace. "Some birds aren't that harmless," she warned.

Som didn't say anything, and he was the first to climb back up to the Nightmare steed that made themselves look like ordinary horses, matching their riders as they entered the hidden city.

"It seems like we're not the only one visiting this place," he said to Saanvi, who was also riding solo as Marko and Mica rode together in a cart.

"Naturally," she replied. "Hidden territories were often discovered by merchants. However, once they stepped out of place, they wouldn't be able to return. Unless they have sundials that would tell them when it should open again."

"Just like what you have, right?"

"Yes."

"So, these legit merchants, how long do they usually stay here?"

"Depends. Visiting merchants in any of our hidden territories will not leave until they can make enough profit. Before you ask how did I know this, our hidden territories were often visited by traveling merchants, and so I was used to them."

Som, "I wasn't going to ask..."

This hidden territory belongs to the Erinyes, and it showcased much of their influence judging from the infrastructure of the place. And because this was near the Summit Isle, it was understandable that it was surrounded by mountainsides that, even without being hidden, it has a good natural defense, even from the skies.

Given its distance to the academy, it was no wonder that Saanvi volunteered the Nightmare steeds as their transportation. It wasn't very far. But it wasn't near either. The only downside was that the main roads cut through mountains, valleys, and rugged terrains. Depending on the weather, this could be a dangerous trip for any kind of traveler.

The city was split into two sides, separated by a large running river that divided the elites from the working district. All buildings were made of stone, and Som could feel an unusual power coming from them. He couldn't help checking his companions, who appeared relaxed despite the unusual aura of the place.