Beyond the Rabbit Hole

To The Sky

Cris flew the three companions toward the closest village, where he had them fed and ensured they had sufficient rest for the remainder of the day. When the next morning came, the group set out again – this time straight toward the Featherfalls.

"Your wyvern – I forget her name – she's even bigger than I remember. Is she full-sized now?" Benard stroked the creature's gray scales as he rode on its back beside Alyss and Morgyn.

"Ha! She's been fully grown for a few years now, old friend." Cris laughed. "I suppose that tells how long it has been since we've last spoken."

"I suppose it does." Benard chuckled.

"So, this is a wyvern then?" Alyss asked. "It must be incredible to fly around on something like this all the time."

"Do not tell me this is your first time seeing one?" Cris raised an eyebrow.

Morgyn and Alyss glanced at each other in silence.

Benard looked at the two reapers for a moment, then shifted his gaze back to the dragoon. "Believe it or not, these two hail from the Fjord of Kahth."

"Ah, northerners then?" Cris nodded. "You're far away from home."

Fjord of Kahth? Is Benard trying to cover for us?

"Yes, so they aren't well equipped with the necessary knowledge to live here in the empire. I believe that's why Commander Rendhal is having us go see Lord Commander Isaaik." Benard continued.

"Access to the great library? Or perhaps a free ticket to the college of Herongrand?" Cris asked.

Benard stayed silent.

"Either way, your commander must like them quite a lot to give them his personal recommendation."

"Well, they helped us out much more than they needed to despite their circumstances." Benard added.

The wyvern began to descend, and the clouds parted underneath them.

Alyss jumped to her feet. Her eyes widened and her mouth fell open.

"Be careful, miss!" Cris glanced back at her with a worried expression. "A fall from this height would be certain death."

"Morgyn, you have to come look at this!" Alyss beamed.

Morgyn crawled forward and peered over the wyvern's saddle.

Before them laid a city with two parts separated by a waterfall that stood over one thousand feet tall. Partially shrouded by the spray from the waterfall, the bottom part of the city was the largest. The buildings were tall enough to peer over the light mist, and hundreds of wooden walkways connected the town. Two large wooden elevators lined either side of the waterfall. One seemed to be traveling up the plateau wall, while the other went downward at an equal speed. The part of the city atop the waterfall was smaller, but more elegant. Half a dozen manors lined the river at the top, and on the side of the cliff was a massive structure that looked like a runway where a huge ship was docked.

The wyvern landed in the grass just outside of the mist.

"It might cause problems if I take you straight to the surcity, so I'll drop you off here." Said Cris.

Alyss and Morgyn glanced at each other before sliding off the wyvern's back. Benard followed after them.

"We appreciate this kindness." Benard gave Cris a firm handshake. "I only pray that I can repay it some day."

"Think nothing of it, old friend." Cris smiled. "I did what any brother of the Royal Academy would do. Besides," he patted Benard on the shoulder. "What kind of dragoon would I be if I abandoned people in need."