"I will feed them sugar cubes if they get me to Milfheim by tomorrow."
"Mount up," the captain ordered, refusing to engage further.
Misha swung gracefully into her saddle, her magic naturally calming her assigned beast.
Thora simply vaulted over the side, landing with a thud that made her pegasus snort in protest. Sira practically vanished into her seat, leaving no sound at all.
"Ready for a family reunion?" Kane asked, pulling himself onto the largest winged horse.
"My mother is going to hate you," Misha smiled, pulling her hood up against the biting wind.
"Everyone hates me at first," Kane winked.
"Then I usually buy them a drink or steal their treasury. It always works out."
"Devils are coming, Kane. Don’t steal her treasury."
"No promises."
I already got her daughter. Hope she reasons properly.
Wings snapped open.
Wind pushed against the stone courtyard, and the small strike force launched into the sky, heading straight toward the frozen north.
Kane watched Misha riding beside him, noticing the slight pale tint to her cheeks. High altitudes were never easy on her.
’Her heart is weak,’ Kane thought, keeping his pegasus close to hers to block some of the wind.
’She hides it well, but the physical strain of this flight is catching up to her.’
Misha pressed a hand against her chest. A soft, golden glow seeped through her fingers, radiating pure divine energy.
The warm light washed over her skin, instantly easing her breathing and bringing the color back to her face. Her pegasus let out a content whinny, reacting to the soothing holy mana.
"You okay?"
"Just a little breathless," Misha smiled faintly, dropping her hand to rest on the reins.
"The air is thin up here. My heart fluttered for a second, but I stabilized it with a minor prayer."
"We can land and rest."
"No. We don’t have time for sightseeing."
"If you pass out, I am turning this flying horse around and marching on your mother’s gates with a very bad temper."
Thora laughed from her mount, her halberd resting across her lap.
"Let her rest, Kane! I wouldn’t mind cracking a few holy knights’ skulls if we have to breach the gates."
"Nobody is cracking any skulls," Misha scolded, though a small smile betrayed her amusement.
"Milfheim is a proud kingdom. You walk in swinging weapons, and the Paladins will smite you on principle."
"Let them try," Sira murmured from the rear, tossing a blade in the air and catching it perfectly.
"Holy magic doesn’t work if they are bleeding from the throat."
’My team really only knows one diplomatic language,’ Kane mused, scanning the horizon.
’Good thing Misha is here to play translator.’
Below them, the sprawling forests gave way to rolling green plains and glittering rivers. Far in the distance, the grand city of Milfheim pierced the sky.
There was no frost, no biting cold, just towering spires of polished white marble and gold catching the afternoon sun.
Giant cathedrals connected by arched bridges dominated the landscape, glowing with a faint, ever-present divine aura.
"Looks shiny," Thora observed, whistling low.
"Bet they have a lot of treasure in those temples."
"Don’t touch the reliquaries, Thora," Misha warned.
"I wasn’t going to steal anything! Just admiring."
"You have a habit of admiring things right into your pockets."
Kane ignored their bickering, his interface projecting a tactical overlay of the capital.
’Their anti-air defenses are entirely mana-based,’ Kane analyzed, noting the glowing runes etched into the outer walls.
’Focused beams of pure light. Very effective against demons or monsters, but slow to track fast-moving targets. Still, a frontal assault would be a massive headache.’
The Elven captain leading the escort raised his hand, signaling a descent.
The winged horses banked sharply, diving toward the massive marble courtyard in front of the royal palace.
Dozens of armored Paladins rushed out of the gatehouse the moment the pegasi’s hooves touched the polished stone. Halberds crossed.
Divine light flared around the knights’ fists, ready to repel the foreign intruders.
"Halt! State your business!" the lead Paladin shouted, his visor pulled down.
"Elven mounts are not permitted within the holy grounds without prior summons!"
Kane lazily swung his leg over the saddle and dropped to the ground. He didn’t draw his sword.
He just stood there, rolling his shoulders and staring the captain down.
"We didn’t come to visit," Kane stated calmly.
"We came for a family reunion."
Misha dismounted much more gracefully, her boots clicking softly against the marble. She stepped past Kane, her divine aura flaring instantly.
The golden light spilling from her core outshone the Paladins’ defensive spells, bathing the entire courtyard in a warm, commanding glow.
The lead knight stumbled backward, his holy magic flickering out. He shoved his visor up, his eyes widening in pure shock.
"Princess Misha?"
"Stand down, Captain," Misha ordered, her voice carrying an authority Kane rarely saw her use.
"Open the gates. I am here to see my mother."
"My lady... we thought you were captured by the southern Warlord!"
"I am right here," Kane smirked, giving a little wave. "And technically, she captured me."
The Paladins gripped their weapons tighter, glaring at Kane with undisguised hostility.
"I said stand down!" Misha snapped. "He is my husband. And if any of you draw a blade on him, you will answer to me."
The knights hesitated, looking at each other in confusion. Slowly, reluctantly, they lowered their weapons and uncrossed their halberds. The giant oak gates groaned open, revealing the grand, sunlit halls of the Milfheim palace.
"Lead the way," Kane said, gesturing for Misha to go first.
"Try to behave," she whispered, walking past him.
"I always do."
They walked through corridors lined with stained glass windows depicting ancient battles between angels and mortals.
Statues of winged figures holding flaming swords towered in every alcove.
Priests and nobles stopped and stared, whispering furiously as the prodigal princess marched past, followed by a notorious barbarian and his heavily armed guards.
"Too bright in here," Sira complained quietly. "Nowhere to hide."
"You don’t need to hide," Thora grinned, booting a small decorative pebble across the floor.
"Just walk loud."
They reached the double doors of the throne room.
Two towering Paladins pushed them open, announcing their arrival.