Kelmar rose from the coast like a monument to commerce.

Stone walls thirty feet high. Guard towers at regular intervals. Ships crowded the harbour, their masts creating a forest of wood and rope. Even from a mile out, Gabriel could hear the city. Voices. Hammers. Gulls crying overhead.

It was three times the size of Eldenreach. Maybe bigger.

"Saints," Gilbert breathed. "I've never seen so many buildings."

"How many people live here?" Ennu asked.

"Twenty thousand, give or take." Adan's voice carried the weight of someone who'd been here before. "Biggest port in the Northern Kingdom."

They approached the main gate. A line of travellers waited for inspection. Merchants with carts. Farmers hauling produce. A group of pilgrims in grey robes.

Gabriel pulled his hood lower, hiding his eyes.

The guards were thorough but not aggressive. They checked carts for contraband. Asked questions about purpose and destination. Collected gate fees.

When Gabriel's group reached the front, a guard with sergeant stripes stepped forward.

"Business in Kelmar?"

"Booking passage," Gabriel said. His voice was flat. Neutral. "Ship to the Isle of Giants."

The sergeant studied him. "Let's see your face."

Here we go.

Gabriel pulled back his hood.

The sergeant's eyes widened. His hand moved toward his sword, then stopped. Training warring with instinct.

"Red eyes," the sergeant said slowly. "You're that one. The demon from Eldenreach."

"I'm not a demon."

"Didn't say you were." The sergeant's hand stayed near his weapon. "Just stating what I see." He glanced at the others. "These all with you?"

"Yes."

"Any trouble planned?"

"No."

"Any weapons besides what I can see?"

Gabriel gestured to his swords. "These are it."

The sergeant was quiet for a long moment. Then he stepped back.

"Gate fee is two copper per person. Keep your hood up inside the city. Don't want you scaring merchants." His expression softened slightly. "And if you need work while you're here, the guild's on Harbor Street. Always contracts for someone willing to fight."

Gabriel paid the fee. Twelve copper coins that left his purse significantly lighter.

They entered Kelmar.

The city hit them like a wave. Narrow streets packed with people. Market stalls every ten feet selling everything from fish to silk. Children running between adults. Dogs barking. Hammers ringing from smithies.

The smell was overwhelming. Brine and fish and unwashed bodies and cooking food all mixed together.

"Stay close," Gabriel said. "Don't get separated."

They navigated through the press of people. Gilbert kept one hand on his coin purse. Adan watched the rooftops. Tess walked close to Gabriel's right side.

Mera trailed behind, her eyes distant. Taking in the city but not really seeing it.

Harbour Street was wider than the residential areas. Ships lined the docks. Sailors hauled cargo. Merchants haggled prices in loud voices.

And at the far end, a three-story building with a sign depicting an anchor and sword.

The guild.

They pushed through the crowd and entered.

The interior was chaos. Adventurers clustered around notice boards. Guild attendants processed contracts at long counters. A bar occupied one wall, already full despite the early hour.

Gabriel approached the main counter. A middle-aged woman with grey-streaked hair looked up.

"Help you?"

"Need information. Ships departing for the Isle of Giants."

The woman consulted a ledger. "Three ships making that run in the next week. The Serpent's Tooth leaves tomorrow at dawn. Captain Torrhen. Good reputation, fair prices."

"Where do I find him?"

"Dock seven. Ship with green sails. Can't miss it."

Gabriel nodded his thanks. They left the guild and headed for the docks.

Dock seven wasn't hard to find. The Serpent's Tooth was impossible to miss. Green sails furled against the masts. Hull painted dark grey. Crew working the deck, preparing for departure.

A man stood near the gangplank. Late fifties. Weathered face that spoke of decades at sea. Grey hair pulled back in a tail. Arms crossed, watching his crew work.

"Captain Torrhen?" Gabriel called.

The man turned. His eyes assessed Gabriel in one sweep. Warrior. Dangerous. Red eyes hidden beneath a hood.

"That's me. You looking for passage?"

"To the Isle of Giants. Six of us."

Torrhen's expression didn't change. "Show me your face first. I don't sail with anyone I can't see."

Gabriel pulled back his hood.

Torrhen's jaw tightened. But he didn't step back. Didn't reach for a weapon.

"Demon eyes," he said quietly.

"They're just eyes."

"Nothing's ever just anything." Torrhen studied him. "You're that one from up north. The Paladin who got exiled."

"Former Paladin."

"Right." Torrhen's arms remained crossed. "Standard fare to the Isle is fifteen silver per person. Three weeks voyage, food and water included. But for you..." He paused. "Triple that. Forty-five silver per person."

Gabriel's hand clenched. "That's robbery."

"That's risk assessment." Torrhen's voice was matter-of-fact. "Man with eyes like yours attracts trouble. Order might come looking. Pirates might see an opportunity. And my crew will want hazard pay for sailing with a demon."

"I'm not a demon."

"Convince me."

The challenge hung in the air.

Gabriel's mind worked through options. They didn't have enough coin for triple fare. Didn't have time to earn it through contracts. The Serpent's Tooth was their best option.

Which meant demonstration.

"You mentioned trouble," Gabriel said. "Pirates. Sea monsters. Things that threaten ships."

"Every voyage has risks."

"What if I could eliminate some of those risks?"

Torrhen's eyes narrowed. "How?"

"Give me space. I'll show you."

The captain gestured to an empty section of dock. "Go ahead."

Gabriel walked to the indicated space. The crew stopped working to watch. Other dockhands paused. A small crowd gathered.

This is a risk.

But we need passage.

Gabriel pulled off his cloak. Rolled up his sleeves. The scars on his arms were visible now. Ritual markings carved deep.

He closed his eyes. Felt for the fire.

It was always there. Waiting. Coiled in his chest like a living thing.

Control. Precision. Like the vision showed.

Don't just unleash it. Shape it.

Gabriel raised his hands. Palm up. Fingers spread.

Fire erupted.

Not wild. Not explosive. The flames coiled around his forearms like serpents. Precise spirals moving in perfect synchronization.

Murmurs from the crowd.

Gabriel focused. The fire responded to his intent, flowing from his arms to his shoulders. Down his chest. Around his waist.

Complete control.

The flames moved like they were alive. Obeying every thought. Every subtle shift in concentration.

Show them power. Show them control.

Gabriel brought his hands together. The fire coalesced between his palms. A sphere of pure flame, condensed and bright.

Then he split it. Two spheres. Four. Eight.

Each one orbited around him in complex patterns. Dancing through the air without burning anything except what he wanted them to burn.

The crowd had gone silent.

Gabriel sustained it. Pushing toward his limit.

Five seconds. Ten. Twelve.

The drain was significant. He could feel his stamina depleting. Sweat beaded on his forehead.

Fifteen seconds.

The maximum he could safely maintain.

Gabriel closed his fists. The fire vanished instantly. Snuffed out like candles.

He stood there, breathing hard but steady. His arms trembled slightly from the exertion.

The crowd stared.

Torrhen's expression had changed. The skepticism was gone. Replaced by something between awe and fear.

"That's..." The captain struggled for words. "That's considerable power."

"It's what I can do." Gabriel met his eyes. "Sea monsters attack your ship, I can handle them. Pirates board, I can clear the deck. Weather turns bad..." He gestured. "Fire doesn't care about rain."

Torrhen was quiet for a long moment. Calculating. Weighing.

"Standard fare," he said finally. "Fifteen silver per person. Plus one condition."

"What condition?"

"If we're attacked, you fight. No hesitation. No holding back." Torrhen's expression was serious. "I'm putting my crew's lives in your hands if I take you aboard. I need to know you'll protect them."

Gabriel nodded. "Agreed."

"Then we have a deal." Torrhen extended his hand.

Gabriel shook it. The captain's grip was firm. Calloused from decades of rope work.

"We depart at dawn," Torrhen said. "Be here an hour before. I don't wait for stragglers."

"We'll be here."

Gabriel turned back to his group. They stood twenty yards away, watching.

Gilbert's mouth was slightly open. Ennu's eyes were wide. Adan looked impressed. Mera's expression was unreadable.

Tess just smiled.

They left the docks and found an inn on the north side of the city. The Brass Anchor. Cheap but clean. Gabriel paid for three rooms and a meal.

They ate in silence. Bread and stew and ale. Real food after days of dried rations.

Gilbert finally broke the quiet. "That was incredible. The fire. I've never seen control like that."

"It's what I've been training for," Gabriel said.

"How long can you sustain it?"

"Fifteen seconds. Maybe less if I'm already tired."

"That doesn't seem like much."

"It's not." Gabriel's jaw tightened. "But it's growing. A few weeks ago I could barely manage ten."

"And you think you can protect the whole ship?"

"I'll have to."

They finished eating and retired to their rooms. Gabriel and Tess took one. Gilbert and Adan another. Mera and Ennu the third.

Gabriel lay on the bed. An actual bed. With a mattress and blankets.

It felt wrong after weeks of sleeping on the ground.

Tess sat beside him. "You okay?"

"Tired."

"You pushed hard with that demonstration."

"Had to convince him." Gabriel stared at the ceiling. "We didn't have the coin for triple fare."

"It worked. We have passage."

"For now." Gabriel's hand found hers. "Lot can happen in three weeks at sea."

"Then we'll handle it." Tess squeezed his fingers. "Together."

Gabriel turned his head to look at her. "You're very certain about that."

"About us? Yeah." Her smile was soft. "You're still figuring it out. That's okay."

"I'm getting there."

"I know."

They lay in comfortable silence. Outside, the city noise continued. Voices. Footsteps. Distant music from taverns.

"Tomorrow we're on a ship," Tess said quietly. "Three weeks to the Isle of Giants. No turning back after that."

"You having second thoughts?"

"No." Her voice was firm. "Just acknowledging the significance. Everything changes once we're at sea."

Gabriel knew what she meant. On land, they could run. Could hide. Could adapt.

At sea, they were trapped on a ship. Vulnerable. Dependent on the captain's goodwill and Gabriel's power to keep them safe.

And somewhere, the woman in the fog was still watching. Still killing. Still cultivating him toward some purpose he didn't understand.

"Get some sleep," Gabriel said. "Long day tomorrow."

Tess nodded. She curled up against him, her head on his chest.

Within minutes, her breathing evened out.

Gabriel lay awake, staring at the ceiling.

Three weeks at sea.

Plenty of time to train. To push my limits.

Plenty of time for things to go wrong.

His hand moved unconsciously to his chest. Feeling the scars.

Forty-five seconds maximum. That's the goal.

Triple what I can do now.

The gap felt enormous.

But the vision had shown him it was possible. The warrior had controlled fire for minutes. Had shaped it with precision Gabriel could barely imagine.

If he could do it, so can I.

I have to.

Sleep came eventually.

Tomorrow, they'd board the Serpent's Tooth.

Tomorrow, the real journey began.

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