The Day Before Departure — Night in the Zephyrus Dorm Room
Damian sat at a small wooden table in his room. Candlelight danced softly across the still-wet ink, casting soft shadows on the wall. In front of him, a sheet of letter paper was half-filled with neat handwriting, but he seemed to have rewritten some parts.
"'Father, we're being sent out of the academy to…'" Damian stopped writing, staring at the ceiling in deep thought. "What for, so as not to arouse suspicion?" he muttered under his breath.
A few seconds later, he smiled slightly and continued writing. "…for an inter-kingdom field study." He looked down at his handwriting and nodded in satisfaction. "Heh, that sounds pretty convincing."
A soft voice came from behind him. "A study activity, hm? You do realize that's a secret mission from the Zephyrus Kingdom."
Damian turned quickly. Near the door, Professor Limbert stood with his arms folded, staring at him from behind his glasses.
Damian grinned broadly. "That's why I asked the Professor for an official letter, so it would look legal."
Limbert took a deep breath, lowering his glasses slightly. "You know, if this gets out, I could be jailed."
Damian intertwined his fingers, feigning pleading. "Just a stamp and a signature, Professor. Besides, my father isn't the type to believe me if I just say I'm going north for a school project."
The professor stared at him for a long moment before finally breaking into a small smile. "You really are unbelievable, Damian."
Damian chuckled, patting his chest. "Prof., besides, this is all because you asked me yourself if I had any ideas for a mission to the north."
Limbert shook his head slowly, but his smile remained. "You really are making an old headmaster like me uneasy."
Damian looked at his letter once more, then blew on the ink that hadn't yet dried. "Don't worry, Professor. I promise everything will go smoothly this time."
Outside, the night breeze blew gently through the bedroom window. In the dying candlelight, Damian wrote the last line of his letter—a simple sentence that made his mission seem like a simple task, even though everyone knew… it was far more dangerous than that.
Damian Writes His Letter
Damian stared at the fresh paper on his desk. He took a deep breath, then began writing again with fresh black ink. The room was silent, except for the soft sound of a pen scraping against paper.
"
To Mom and Dad in Frostvale,
I'm fine. The school is organizing a field trip to the north. We'll be visiting several kingdoms as representatives of the academy.
I'd like to send this letter to the Frostvale Kingdom and perhaps other kingdoms in the north, to make our trip easier. If you'd like, please send an official letter of recommendation from the Kade family to Evercrag as well, since you're close to that kingdom.
Oh, and give my regards to Mom. I still remember her forcing me to wear three layers of clothing every night. Please tell her I still do it… sometimes.
Also, give my regards to Gai-san. Tell him I haven't lost a single bet while on Zephyrus. (Please don't let him come to the academy if he hears this.)
I hope everyone in Frostvale is safe. I heard from the academy reports that snowstorms are becoming more frequent in the north. Stay safe, Father.
Your son,
Damian Kade.
"
Damian put down his pen and blew gently until the ink dried. He read the letter once more, then folded it carefully before sealing it with red wax.
A small smile appeared on his face. He stared at the flickering candle flame at the end of the table.
"I'm sorry, Father," he whispered. "Sometimes a small lie is part of a great task."
The candlelight illuminated his calm face, but behind that smile, there was a strong sense of determination.
The night on the Zephyrus was silent, as if marking the beginning of a new journey that would not be easy for the son of the Kade family.
The Next Day — Zephyrus Front Yard
The morning air in Zephyrus' front yard was crisp. The other students were getting ready to begin their activities, while Damian stood at the school gate with Professor Limbert.
The professor handed him a sealed letter bearing the academy's crimson stamp. "I've sent your letter via the academy's courier," he said, patting the envelope lightly. "With this official stamp, they'll believe it."
Damian accepted the letter with a small smile and bowed politely. "Thank you, Professor. If you ask, just say I'm a very honest student."
Limbert raised an eyebrow and glared at him. "You and 'honest' are two very different things."
Damian simply chuckled, tucking the letter into his bag. "That means I'm improving, right?"
Professor Limbert took a deep breath, but a faint smile played across his lips. "Go before I change my mind and retract the letter."
Damian gave a small, casual bow. "Yes, Professor."
He then turned and strode out of the academy gates with steady steps. Behind him, Limbert shook his head slowly and whispered,
"That kid… will either be a great hero, or the biggest headache in Zephyrus history."
Back to the Present — The Gates of the Evercrag Kingdom
A thin mist drifted between the massive stone walls that towered before them. Two armored guards stood at attention at the gate, eyeing the small group of newcomers with wary eyes. However, as soon as they saw the Zephyrus emblem on Damian and his companions' uniforms, the guards' expressions immediately changed.
One of them stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Welcome to Evercrag, Lord Kade. The King has received a letter from Frostvale. We have been ordered to welcome you as guests of honor."
Damian smiled slightly, turning to Liam, who was standing beside him. "See? It worked. My father may be strict, but when it comes to school, he always agrees."
Liam stifled a laugh. "And luckily, he doesn't know the real reason we're here."
Damian raised an eyebrow and looked at him with a solemn air. "Ah, that's a secret of the Zephyrus Kingdom, Liam. It must not be revealed."
The guard smiled slightly and gestured to his companion. The massive gate of black iron slowly opened, a deep sound echoing through the mist. From inside, the city of Evercrag lit up with its stone towers, tall buildings, and cobblestone streets lit by torches along the sides.
Damian took a deep breath, his eyes sparkling at the sight. He stepped inside eagerly.
"Frostvale may be where I was born," he said with a wide smile, "but Evercrag…"
He paused, then exclaimed excitedly,
"...SO COOL!!!"
Liam just shook his head with a chuckle, while Tessa and Rin exchanged resigned glances.
That was Damian Kade—always able to turn a serious moment into something silly.
Behind them, the great gates of Evercrag slowly closed, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their journey through the mountain kingdom.