Tale of a Hedonistic wizard

He knew that many would consider it an immense honour and stroke of luck to be in the presence of the Holy Maiden merely, let alone to have saved her life. The belief that such an encounter would bring good fortune was widespread.

As he pondered this, Jaegar also recognized the potential long-term benefits of this unexpected connection. Having the favour of the future spiritual leader of a powerful and secretive kingdom, he could open doors and provide opportunities he had never dreamed of.

Cara's surprise was evident as she listened to Anashyssa's open disclosure to Jaegar. Her brow furrowed with concern, and she couldn't help but interject, "Your Highness, is it alright to say all this to him?" Her voice carried a mix of respect for Anashyssa's position and wariness about revealing such sensitive information to someone they had only recently met.

Even though he helped them, she couldn't help but think that the princess was giving too much credit to him.

Anashyssa turned to Cara, her ethereal features softening into a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Cara," she said, her voice carrying a gentle but firm authority. "He is a man favoured by the gods. You need not be hostile to him regarding this."

Her alien eyes then shifted back to Jaegar, seeming to look through him rather than at him. "And I have a strong feeling that our paths will cross again," she added, her tone taking on a mysterious, almost prophetic quality.

Jaegar found himself taken aback by Anashyssa's words. The notion of being "favoured by the gods" had brought a deep frown to his face. Lately, he has been involved with a lot of them, and not recently, he had an encounter with a goddess who helped him. But he was wondering: what made her say that, or did she know about him?

Moreover, Anashyssa's cryptic statement about their paths crossing again left him pondering.

Was this merely a polite way of saying they might meet in the future, or did the future Holy Maiden possess some form of foresight? The possibilities swirled in Jaegar's mind, each more intriguing than the last.

Cara seemed to accept Anashyssa's judgment, though a hint of caution remained in her eyes as she regarded Jaegar. It was clear that the Five Claws member was fiercely protective of her charge and not easily swayed, even by the words of the future Holy Maiden herself. Cara looked completely different from the time she hovered over him.

She no longer had the playful demeanour she had when she pestered him.

Jaegar, for his part, felt the weight of Anashyssa's trust settle upon him. To be deemed worthy of such confidence by a figure of her stature was both an honour and a responsibility. He knew that whatever came next, he would need to prove himself deserving of this trust.

After their conversation, Anashyssa and Cara excused themselves, retreating to their quarters.

From that moment on, Anashyssa remained hidden from view, never again appearing on deck for the remainder of the journey. Her absence was palpable, lending an air of mystery and importance to their mission.

The voyage continued for several days, with the Blue Horizon cutting through the waves with steady determination. Along the way, they encountered a few more pirate ships, but thanks to the captain's skill and the vigilance of the crew, they managed to evade these potential threats without incident. The close call with Durwin had left everyone on high alert, unwilling to risk another confrontation.

Jaegar spent most of his time in meditation, finding solace in the quiet discipline of his mind. When he emerged for meals, he kept to himself, his thoughts occupied with the recent events and the potential future that lay ahead. The crew and other passengers gave him a respectful berth, perhaps sensing the power that lay dormant within him.

The Five Claws maintained their vigilant guard around Ar'kalan's quarters. They took shifts, ensuring that at least one of them was always on watch. Cara, in particular, seemed to have taken on the role of Anashyssa's shadow, rarely leaving her side. The group's determination to prevent another attack like Durwin's was evident in their tireless efforts.

As dawn broke on a clear, fine day, the coastline finally came into view. The Blue Horizon approached a bustling port, its destination a private dock set apart from the main harbour. As they drew nearer, Jaegar could make out figures standing on the dock, clearly awaiting their arrival.

The ship slowly manoeuvred into its berth, the crew working efficiently to secure it.

On the dock, Jaegar observed three men standing at the forefront of the welcoming party. They were dressed in regal attire that spoke of high status, their clothes adorned with intricate embroidery and precious stones. Each man wore a sheathed sword at his waist, the hilts gleaming with jewels that caught the morning sun.

With a creak and a thud, the ship's gangway was lowered, creating a bridge between the vessel and the dock. Anashyssa emerged from below decks, her ethereal beauty somehow more pronounced in the light of day. She moved with grace and dignity, her otherworldly features composed into a mask of serene authority.

The Five Claws surrounded her in a protective formation, their eyes scanning the dock and surrounding area for any potential threats. Cara walked closest to Anashyssa, her hand never straying far from her weapon.

As the group began to descend the gangway, Jaegar watched from the ship's rail, feeling a strange

The three men were on the dock, as Anashyssa approached, their reverence for the future Holy Maiden evident in their posture.

As Jaegar stood on the ship's deck, his keen eyes never wavering from the scene unfolding before him, he witnessed a display of power and reverence that left him both intrigued and wary.

The three swordsmen, paragons of martial prowess, moved with fluid grace as they approached the princess. Their movements were precise, and calculated, and spoke volumes of their years of training and discipline.

The princess, a vision of ethereal beauty, stood surrounded by the five claws—mystical beasts of legend whose very presence seemed to radiate an aura of ancient power. Their massive forms, each as large as a warhorse, moved with a silent, predatory grace that belied their size.

Fur shimmering with an otherworldly light, their intelligent eyes surveyed the surroundings, ever vigilant in their duty to protect.

With a synchronicity that spoke of years of practised protocol, the three swordsmen bowed deeply to the princess. Their armour, a masterpiece of craftsmanship, caught the sunlight and scattered it in a dazzling display. Each piece was adorned with intricate engravings that told tales of their heroic deeds and noble lineage.

Jaegar's gaze remained fixed on the swordsmen, his trained eye picking up on subtle details that others might miss. He noticed how their auras, raw and powerful, were tightly controlled and contained within their bodies. It was a testament to their mastery, a skill that spoke of rigorous training and iron-clad discipline. These were not mere warriors, but living weapons honed to perfection.

As Jaegar studied them, one of the swordsmen suddenly turned, his piercing gaze locking directly into Jaegar's eyes. In that moment, time seemed to stand still. It was like that swordsman picked up the gaze of Jaegar and quickly noticed his presence.

Jaegar, unafraid and unflinching, met the warrior's stare with equal intensity. A silent exchange passed between them, a wordless acknowledgement of mutual respect and perhaps a hint of challenge.

A smile, small but noticeable, tugged at the corners of the swordsman's lips, adding an air of intrigue to the already charged atmosphere.

The spell was broken as one of the other swordsmen gently took the princess's hand, guiding her towards a waiting carriage. The vehicle itself was a work of art, more befitting a divine being than a mortal ruler. Its gleaming white surface was inlaid with precious metals and gems, creating patterns that seemed to shift and change in the light.

The horses that would pull this celestial chariot were equally magnificent—their coats a pure, lustrous white that seemed to glow with an inner light, and their manes flowing like liquid silver in the breeze.

With practised ease, the swordsmen mounted their own steeds—majestic warhorses bred for both beauty and battle. Their coats gleamed with health, muscles rippling beneath as they pawed at the ground, eager to be off.

In the blink of an eye, they were gone. The swordsmen, the princess, and the five claws moved with such speed that they seemed to simply vanish, leaving behind only swirling dust and wide-eyed onlookers.

The dock, which had been frozen in a tableau of awe and reverence, suddenly burst into a flurry of excited whispers and gesticulations.

During the brief time the exalted group had been present, all activity on the dock had ceased.

Dock workers, sailors, and merchants alike had stood transfixed, barely daring to breathe. An invisible weight had settled over the area, a palpable pressure that made the very act of drawing breath a laborious task. It was as if the air itself recognized the presence of these powerful beings and bowed to their will.