A Journey That Changed The World.-Chapter 1656: We Don’t Want To Be Late
Kaelira watched as a small group of Draconian soldiers patrolled the perimeter. Clad in sleek, white-trimmed uniforms, their presence was reassuring. They nodded politely to them as they passed, clearly familiar with the two women, and she returned the gesture with a warm smile.
The scene was peaceful with the soft hum of distant conversations of the other passengers and the occasional chirp of birds filling the air as they flew above. Kaelia couldn't help but feel a sense of awe, her shock giving way to curiosity as she wondered about the history and purpose of this place.
'Why would an empire waste funds on such a building for these so-called trains?' she mused, gold eyes full of curiosity.
''Come on, Kae!'' Jasmine exclaimed. ''We can get the tickets just inside.''
''Lead the way,'' she replied.
Kaelia trailed closely behind the enthusiastic Water Elf, whose green eyes sparkled as she led the group onto a pathway. It was bordered by wildflowers and ferns, wound toward the entrance. When she saw this, her heart quickened, anticipation building with every step as the building's silhouette loomed closer.
Its spires are catching the golden rays of the afternoon sun. As the Wyrm Princess crossed the entry of the station's entrance, she froze, her breath stolen by the sight. The interior was a marvel that defied all expectations, a vast, cathedral-like hall bathed in a soft glow that seemed to emanate from the walls themselves.
Towering columns of crystal stretched toward a vaulted ceiling, where detailed mosaics depicted the stars in the sky and mythical creatures. She noticed the floor, polished to a mirror-like sheen, reflected the light in shimmering patterns, creating the illusion of walking on a starlit sea.
Delicate chimes hung from fixtures, their faint tinkling filling the space with a hauntingly beautiful harmony. Kaelia's eyes widened as she noticed something even more astonishing: a massive, levitating orb of water hovered at the center of the hall, its surface rippling gently as if alive.
She felt a strange pull as a handful of travelers moved toward the booths, their footsteps muffled, while the soldiers maintained their watch. Jasmine turned to her with a knowing grin, clearly delighted by their reactions. ''This is the fiftieth station built by the Legions stationed here. Once the tracks were laid, the building popped up after.'' 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖
Kaelia was shocked at the Water Elf's words, but shook her head, speaking. ''Jasmine, take us to the ticket place. I want to get going.''
Jasmine nodded as the trio approached one of the booths that was lined off to the right, its surface gleaming under the ethereal glow of the crystal columns. The attendant, a wiry woman with silver hair and eyes, greeted them with a courteous nod. Behind the counter, a poster displaying destinations seemed to shift and blur.
Names of places Kaelia had never heard of, but Jasmine nudged her before motioning toward the woman. The Wyrm Princess laughed and spoke when reading the sign behind the worker. ''Three first-class tickets to Westreach, please,'' she said.
The attendant's gaze flickered over them, and with a tap, the runes on the glass rearranged to display a price: ten gold coins per ticket. Khela raised an eyebrow. Jasmine's happiness faltered slightly, fingers fumbling in her satchel for her coin pouch, clearly expecting a negotiation or a shared burden.
Kaelira took out thirty and dropped them into the metal tray, shocking her companions and the attendant. The woman looked at her with wide as, but she questioned the stranger. ''We are our tickets?''
The worker quickly took three papers out and stamped them before handing the tickets through the tray. ''Here you go, thanks for traveling with the Draconian Express!'' she exclaimed, a friendly expression crossing her face.
She took them and handed two to the shocked others. Jasmine took the ticket with a shaky hand as Khela looked at her like she was crazy. ''Where did all that come from? Why would you pay so much?''
Kaelira shrugged, but she waved them away. ''I have more than enough coin thanks to killing monsters days before our meeting.''
The two women looked at her as smiles appeared on both of their faces as the Water Elf finally broke the silence. ''Thank you, Kae. We'll pay you back when we become famous.''
''Don't worry about it,'' she said. ''But lead us to the train, we don't want to be late.''
Jasmine guided them to the bustling platform where passengers were boarding the train they needed. The blue-haired woman ushered them to their assigned car, split evenly between their group and a merchant traveling with his family. The older man attempted conversation, but they brushed off his leering gaze.
The Water Elf swung open the door to their section of the train car, revealing a lavish lounge that left the trio stunned. Velvet seats hugged the walls, circling a gleaming wooden table topped with a crystal decanter and delicate glasses. Soft light poured through frosted windows, illuminating intricate wood paneling.
A narrow hallway led to four cozy bedrooms, each with silk linens, a cushioned bed, and a small desk. A spotless private toilet with fancy fixtures was at the end of the hall, and a sleek bar, stocked with bottles of alcohol, gleamed in the corner. Kaelira's gold eyes widened, her usual composure cracking. ''This place reminds me of a room in a palace.''
Khela, always wary, brushed her fingers along the bar's edge with an excited smirk. ''A good way to travel.''
Following that, the slimy merchant sharing the other half of the car peered through the door, his earlier leer now a mix of curiosity and jealousy. ''Fancy setup for a trio like you,'' he muttered as he retreated, his family's hushed murmurs trailing behind him.
Kaelira settled into the plush velvet of the chair, the luxury still sinking in. ''If he says one more thing, I'll kill him,'' she murmured, a wicked smile tugging at her lips.
Through the window, she watched a flurry of activity, passengers hurrying, some scrambling to board the train. Attendants guided more travelers toward the rear carriages, their movements sharp and urgent. After that, she leaned back in the plush velvet chair, the train's gentle sway lulling her as it pulled away from the station.
The platform's chaos faded behind the window, vendors packing up, travelers scattering, and the last of the attendants vanishing into the station. She stretched, letting out a sigh as the train began moving. ''This beats walking,'' she muttered.
Outside, the landscape blurred into streaks of green and gold as the train picked up speed. Inside, the carriage door slid open, and a female attendant stepped in, her uniform crisp and their smile practiced. ''Welcome aboard, passengers. Care for a drink or a meal? We've got a fine selection today.''
Kaelira glanced up, her eyes scanning the attendant briefly before returning to the window. ''Something strong. And maybe a sandwich. Surprise me.''
The attendant nodded and disappeared down the aisle. Kaelira's gaze drifted to the other passengers: a merchant flipping through a ledger, a couple chatting softly, their hands intertwined. Nothing out of place, just the hum of a train bound for somewhere. She propped her boots on the empty seat across from her.
Jasmine and Khela gossiped after ordering some food as the train shot through the countryside, revealing all kinds of views, amazing the Wyrm Princess. Moments later, the worker reappeared with a tray. There were three glasses of strong ale. Beside it sat a thick sandwich layered with roast beef, sharp cheese, and crisp greens on fresh-baked bread.
''Compliments of the chef,'' the attendant said, setting it down. ''Enjoy your journey.''
Following that, Kaelira took a sip, the warmth blooming in her chest, then bit into the sandwich, savory, hearty, perfect. ''This,'' she said around a mouthful. ''It's worth the ticket.''
She finished her meal, glass in hand, and let her head rest against the cushion. The whiskey's haze mingled with the train's rhythm, her eyelids growing heavy. No rush, no plans, just the simple luxury of motion, a full belly, and the world slipping by outside. For the first time in days, she felt truly at ease.
Following that, the train's whistle sounded, a low hum that vibrated through the carriage. The scenery shifted again, the fields giving way to a stark, endless expanse of stone. Kaelira straightened, her brow furrowing as a massive wall came into view, stretching across the horizon like a scar on the earth.
It was impossibly tall, its surface smooth and black, polished to a sheen that reflected the fading sunlight. The wall extended for miles, its edges vanishing into the distance. ''What in the goddess's name is that?'' Kaelira said, her voice sharp enough to pull Jasmine and Khela to the window.
The three stared, the carriage falling silent. The wall loomed closer as the train ran parallel to it, its sheer scale dwarfing the landscape with gates dotting it and towers watching over the surrounding lands.
