CHAPTER 1055: SMOKES

The room lingered in silence even after the shimmer of Erend’s portal faded into nothingness.

Aurdis kept her eyes fixed on the spot where he had stood, her hands slowly curling into fists as if to hold onto the warmth of his presence.

Her heart beat unsteadily and torn between pride at his strength and fear of the dangers he faced. She bit her lips that Erend had kissed before, her feelings became heavy.

Saeldir let out a long breath, his gaze lowering as he adjusted his robe.

"He carries too much of a burden," he muttered, almost to himself. "Even for a Dragonborn. They all are."

Aurdis finally turned her head toward him, her expression still heavy.

"He carries it because no one else can. That’s what frightens me the most," Aurdis said with eyes glimmering with tears.

For a moment, Saeldir did not respond. He simply studied her.

"You’re not only frightened of what would happen to the world," he said quietly. "You fear for him, mostly."

Aurdis’s lips parted slightly, but no words came.

She looked away, the glow of the crystals painting her face in pale light.

The silence that followed was enough as an answer.

Saeldir closed his eyes and pressed his fingers together as if in prayer, though his tone was one of firm resolve.

"Then I think we cannot afford to falter now if we want to ease his burden. I will inform the king right now. Whatever unknown force lurks in the shadows, we must be ready when it shows itself."

Aurdis gave a slow nod, even though her mind was far away following Erend in thought, across the distance that separated them.

She whispered so softly that even Saeldir barely caught it. "Please... be safe."

They all left the room. The room fell quiet again.

—

In the quiet solitude of his room in the tower, Archmage Adrius sat in a high-backed chair of dark oak. The flickering light of a crystal lamp casting shadows across the shelves burdened with tomes and scrolls.

A curl of smoke drifted lazily from his pipe with the earthy scent of dried leaves mixed with faint herbs.

His eyes were steady on the ancient script he read in front of him. His brows furrowed in deep thought.

Then, without warning, the air behind him rippled.

A faint hum like the strum of a distant string vibrated through the room.

Before he could rise, a portal bloomed open, light swirling in chaotic spirals.

Adrius’s hand tightened on his pipe. His heart thudded because of the sudden influx of Magic power.

From the portal stepped Erend, his presence cutting through the room like a force of nature. Just like always when he came.

Adrius blinked and stunned for only a moment, then calmly placed his book aside and resumed smoking, though his eyes followed the Dragonborn with sharp curiosity.

"You do enjoy making entrances," Adrius said dryly, exhaling a ribbon of smoke.

Erend smirked faintly.

"It’s quicker this way to meet you." His eyes fell to the pipe in Adrius’s hand, the sweet-scented smoke coiling upward. "What’s that you’re smoking?"

Adrius tilted his head, a brow arching.

"Old habit. This is a... dried herb from the southern groves. They clear the mind, or cloud it, depending on how much you take." A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Are you interested in this?"

Erend chuckled under his breath. "Sure."

Adrius reached for a second pipe from a small wooden box on the table beside him.

He deftly stuffed the bowl with the fragrant leaves, his long fingers moving with practiced ease.

With a flick of his hand, a spark of fire Magic flared at his fingertip, igniting the herbs with a soft crackle.

He handed the pipe to Erend.

Erend accepted it and bringing it to his lips.

He inhaled tentatively, the smoke filling his lungs with warmth, tasting of earth, spice, and something faintly bitter.

He exhaled slowly, watching the smoke drift upward in lazy tendrils.

His eyes narrowed slightly, then he let out a small laugh.

"Not bad. Stronger than I expected."

Adrius leaned back, eyes gleaming with quiet amusement. "Careful. The leaves would bite back if you’re not used to them."

Erend smirked, puffing again, this time more steadily.

The smoke curled around his face, softening the hardened edges of his expression.

For a fleeting moment, the Dragonborn looked less like a warrior burdened by endless battles and more like a man savoring a stolen moment of calm. These herbs really calmed his mind.

Adrius tapped ash from his pipe into a tray, then said, "You came here for more than to steal my smoke, I assume."

Erend blew out another plume, his gaze distant. "Yes. But this... helps. Let me have this for a second."

Adrius gave a low hum, studying him, then smiled faintly. "Alright. Then smoke it and speak when you’re ready."

And so the room filled with silence again, not heavy nor suffocating for now but softened by the steady glow of firelight and the drifting haze of smoke.

The two figures sharing a brief, fragile peace before Erend said the real problem.

"Then what are you going to tell me now?" he asked, his tone calm but curious.

Erend took a breath and said, "I’m sorry if I seem shameless, always asking for too many favors. But right now, I really need your help."

Adrius gave a low chuckle, the kind that rumbled from deep in his chest.

He waved his pipe dismissively, smoke trailing behind the motion.

"Shameless? Hah. You’ve already done too much for us. It’s perfectly fine to be shameless once in a while."

Erend allowed a faint smile, even though it didn’t last long.

"I need you to come with me to my world. There’s a problem with the experiment with Magic. I’ll need your wisdom and experience."

For a heartbeat, Adrius just looked at him. Then, without hesitation, he gave a firm nod. "Alright."

Erend blinked. "Just like that?"

Adrius smirked, puffing on his pipe again. "I now have Lysander as my apprentice. Most of the pressing matters here can be thrown at him. I trust the boy. This kingdom will not crumble without me for a while."

Understanding settled into Erend’s eyes, and he nodded slowly. "That makes sense."

Adrius leaned forward, tapping the ash gently from his pipe into a small bronze tray. "So then, when are we leaving?"

Erend let out a soft huff. "After we finish the pipe."

The Archmage broke into laughter, a rich sound that filled the chamber. "Good answer."

So they sat together in silence for a while longer, smoke drifting lazily around them, the air carrying the mingling scents of old wood, parchment, and burning leaves.

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