NOVEL NEXT Vol 3. Chapter 8: Return to Ilagron Village
Lukas and Rosalia pressed onward, flying relentlessly across the storm-tossed seas of Hiraeth. The skies still roared above them, wild with thunder and jagged flashes of lightning, while the ocean churned beneath, furious and untamed.
The weather remained violent, and Lukas had to continuously wield his Divinity to shield them from the ocean's rage. Yet beneath it all, he sensed a subtle change. The waves, once fierce enough to swallow entire ships, had lost some of their intensity. What this meant, Lukas didn't fully understand. Was Oceanus pleased with Daerion's victory? Whatever the meaning behind it, the ocean's rage continued to weaken, travel across these waters would become possible again.
That reality brought both hope and dread. Easier travel could mean safety and even more growth for the Guild, but it would also make it possible for Daerion and his fleet to move freely across Hiraeth.
If Lukas was being honest he could have flown for weeks without any clear sense of direction—no way to be certain they were even moving toward the right destination. They had left Easthaven in such a rush that Lukas had not even stopped to consider that he did not actually know how to get to Ilagron Village.
So instead, Lukas relied on the Crown, keeping it activated to search for Jesse's mind amid the chaos. That faint beacon was all he had to guide them through the tempest.
After hours of tense searching, they finally found Jesse. The relief was immediate on Lukas' part.
Jesse's ship, much smaller and less imposing than the grand vessels the Guild usually sent on official missions, waited patiently for them in the open waters. Supporting Rosalia during her fight against Soren wasn't official business—far from it in fact—but Jesse would not have missed the Duel for the world.
The young dragonborn had escaped not through careful planning or sanctioned orders, but by simply setting sail in the midst of the turmoil. The Nozari Navy, their attention fully consumed by the battle for Easthaven, hadn't even noticed the Merchant Guild's departure from the docks of Easthaven.
Jesse's crew was small but fiercely loyal. Among them were his most trusted men, even few freed slaves they had rescued from the House of Fortunes, and several dragonborn of the Seas they had also saved from captivity.
There was no need for secrecy or diplomacy here so Lukas landed on the ship in his full draconic form, scales gleaming in the storm's sporadic light. He let Rosalia board first before swimming alongside the vessel through the rough waters.
Lukas had spent far too much time trapped in his humanoid shape. Being in his full draconic form felt natural—like coming home. He, at his core was a dragon, and this was how he was meant to move through the world.
The journey to Ilagron Village was long—longer than the trip from Easthaven to Nozar had been. But now, with no reason to hold back, Lukas and Jesse combined their Divinities. Their shared power propelled the ship forward with newfound speed and purpose, carving a path through the rough seas.
After two weeks, Ilagron finally appeared in the distance. Its docks came into view like a quiet promise and the sight of the village took Lukas's breath away—a moment of calm amid a storm-torn world. Lukas gazed at the village ahead, marveling at how much it had transformed in the seven years since he had last been here.
This village had once been little more than a quiet, struggling settlement but even before Lukas had left to search for Rodan with Katrina and the Kraken, plans were already underway to rebuild it.
Now, those plans had blossomed far beyond mere reconstruction.
Ilagron had grown into a vibrant trading hub, bursting with life and culture, so much so that the place was almost unrecognizable. The air itself felt different as they entered the village's waters—a sudden shift in the weather that Lukas immediately noticed—and it was no thanks to either Lukas' or Jesse's Divinities.
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Peering closer, Lukas spotted a series of runic arrangements lining the docks, shimmering faintly despite the dim light of night. These powerful wards held back the storms that had plagued Hiraeth for so long and Jesse's influence was clear in every detail. The young dragonborn had proven himself a far better student than Lukas had ever been when they had all worked together to make the Shard of Obedience a reality. In fact, Magnus himself had been amazed by Jesse's potential—not only in how fast he was able to learn his written language but in understanding the complex written language the mage had created. This mastery was evident in the protective enchantments that controlled Ilagron's weather, shielding the village from harm and allowing it to flourish. The rain and gloom that had hung over the region had vanished here, replaced by a clear sky where the moon shone brightly, casting a serene glow over the bustling village.
While Lukas had spent most of his time in Easthaven, Jesse had remained here, growing alongside the village and nurturing it into something more. Ilagron was Jesse's home, just as Easthaven had become Lukas', and Lukas felt the deep love the young dragonborn held for Ilagron and its people.
As the ship finally docked, a crowd had gathered—members of the Merchant Guild, villagers, and many children who adored Jesse Ilagron, the future Count of this thriving village. It was because of him that Ilagron had flourished and the Merchant Guild had expanded so rapidly over the past year.
Lukas, now having returned to his humanoid form, stood near Rosalia, who was concealed beneath a hooded cloak. The princess appeared just as astonished as he was, her eyes wide as she took in the sight of the village Jesse had spoken of so often. Ilagron had indeed lived up to every expectation Rosalia had imagined within her head.
Suddenly, the crowd parted, making way for two figures moving toward them and Lukas recognized them immediately.
It was none other than the Countess of Ilagron Village, Velena herself and accompanying her was the Guild's Head Physician and the former apprentice to the Archmage Varian, Ellion Haever.
Lukas noticed immediately how much the years had marked the elderly woman.
Velena's hair had turned completely white, like freshly fallen snow, and deep wrinkles carved stories across her face—lines etched by time, hardship, and wisdom. The Countess moved slowly now, relying heavily on a walking stick to steady her frail frame as Jesse approached her with care.
"You should have stayed in bed," Jesse whispered gently, concern lacing his voice.
Velena shook her head with a soft smile, her eyes bright despite the weariness in her limbs. "I've been rotting in bed for months," she replied, voice cracking slightly. "I needed to get some fresh air anyways. How could I not be here to welcome my grandson home?" There was no pretense in her words. It was real love that Lukas heard in her voice and saw in her eyes—deep, unwavering, and genuine—not a mere act to uphold some false identity or narrative.
Jesse grinned warmly and wrapped Velena in a hug, tender yet full of affection, a gesture that spoke of a bond far stronger than blood. Though not related by lineage, their connection was as real as any family's, forged through years of shared history and heartfelt devotion.
Lukas stepped back respectfully, placing a reassuring hand on Rosalia's shoulder, giving them space to share this moment. Ellion, who had been standing nearby, turned toward Lukas and offered a firm nod and a kind smile of greeting. Lukas returned the gesture, feeling a quiet comfort in this reunion.
Later that evening once, the four of them had gathered for dinner within the Ilagron Estate. The mood was warm, filled with the comfort of old friends reunited and loved ones safe under one roof. Though there was much to discuss—the uncertain future and the plans that lay ahead—that night was not for strategy or worry.
It was a night to catch up with one another, to share stories and to simply be present in the moment.
For the first time since the fall of Easthaven, the princess laughed freely.
Velena, with her sharp wit and fondness for teasing, regaled them all with tales of Jesse's most embarrassing moments over the years. Her eyes sparkled with adoration as she spoke of him—a grandmother's pride shining through every word. Lukas found himself smiling, the warmth of the scene settling deep within his chest.
They all needed this, this brief escape from the weight of their struggles.
Even Jesse couldn't help but grin, glad to see the lightness in everyone's mood, even if it came at his expense.
There were nights that Lukas would look back fondly on—moments to be cherished and remembered. This was one of those nights. A night that would linger in their memories as a beacon of hope and peace amidst the storm.
They would worry about the future tomorrow.
Because tonight was a night of love, laughter and peace. And they needed those things now more than ever before.