He turned off the crystal and looked at the other people he was with. Lylia had red eyes, but she possessed a strong will. Elwen was scared but determined. Hammy, softly chirping in support. They were a small group, but they would have to be enough.

"Ironhaven is two days northeast," Lylia said as she took a small map out of her bag. "The ground is rocky and hilly, which makes it difficult to walk on."

"We have to walk because we don't have the carriage."

Greg said, "Then we should get going. That thing gets stronger every hour we waste."

They got together what they needed. Some food, water skins, and basic medical supplies. Not much for a trip of two days, but it would have to do. Elwen made sure the compass was safe, and Hammy climbed on her shoulder like a little guardian.

The exit from the cave led to a different part of the forest than where they had come in. There was no sign of the Calamity, but crashes in the distance made it seem like it was still looking for them.

Lylia said, "This way," looking at her map and compass. "We take the old road to the mine. It isn't kept up anymore, but it should still be possible to get through."

They left, walking at a steady pace that covered a lot of ground without tiring them out. As Lylia had said, the forest eventually gave way to rocky ground. The hills went up and down in waves, which made the trip hard on the body.

Lylia told them about Tunner Von Linner as they walked. "He's from a long line of miners who became knights."

"For generations, his family has worked Ironhaven's deposits. Twenty years ago, he joined the Elite Knights as the youngest person ever. He specialises in defensive fighting and can move stone and earth as if they were water."

Elwen said, "Sounds like someone who could give that Calamity trouble."

Lylia said, "If we can get him to help, that is..."

"Tunner is hard-headed. He doesn't leave Ironhaven unless he has to. His family and duties are there. I can already tell that getting him to change his mind won't be simple."

Greg said, "Then we'll find a way because we don't have a choice."

They travelled all day, stopping only for a short time to get water and rest. The land became more and more rocky, and ore veins could be seen on the sides of cliffs.

Greg understood that this was a mining country. This is where things like the ones he worked with came from.

They had travelled a long way by nightfall. Lylia thought they were halfway to Ironhaven. They set up camp in a protected area between two big rocks and made a small fire to keep warm.

Greg said, "I'll take the first watch. Get some sleep, you two."

Elwen didn't say anything, but he curled up with Hammy, who made a surprisingly comfy pillow. The slime changed its density to soften it, and it chirped happily. Lylia stayed by the fire for a little longer, looking into the flames.

"She knew," Lylia said in a low voice.

"What?" Greg asked.

"Lady Rosalina..."

"She knew she probably wouldn't live when she saw the Calamity... but she didn't think twice and didn't even try to hide or run away. She just did what she always had to do."

Greg said, "That's what heroes do."

Lylia said, "I'm not a hero."

"I quit the Knights because I couldn't take the stress and the duty."

"I picked a simpler life by opening a restaurant. Lady Rosalina is gone now because I wasn't strong enough to fight with her."

Greg said firmly, "That's not true. She wanted you to be here, so you're here. It's because you have a job to do, and that takes a certain kind of strength."

For a moment, Lylia was quiet. "Once we stop the Calamity and everything is over, I'm going back to the Knights."

"I'm going to make sure that what Lady Rosalina taught me and what she stood for don't die with her."

Greg said, "She'd be proud of that."

Lylia finally went to bed, leaving Greg alone with his thoughts and the crackling fire. He thought about Hilda and what she had given up. About Rosalina's last stand. About Marina and the others going to Mistfall.

Many people are counting on him. It was crucial that they could get two Elite Knights to help.

It was heavy, but Greg wouldn't give in. He had promised things to Rosalina, Hilda's memory, and his family. No matter what, he would keep them.

...

The next day's trip was more difficult. The rocky ground turned into real mountains, which they had to climb. Lylia was in charge, and her training as a Royal Knight showed in how quickly she found her way. Elwen had a harder time with the height and effort, but she never said anything.

By the end of the second day, they had climbed a ridge and could see Ironhaven spread out below them. The city was built right into the side of the mountain.

It had both buildings on the surface and entrances to huge underground complexes. Dozens of forges were smoking, and even from this distance, they could hear the sound of hammering. Mining carts moved along rail systems, moving ore from one part of the city to another.

Lylia pointed to a big building close to the city centre and said, "There."

"That's the Knight's Station. If he's not in the mines, Tunner will be there."

They walked down the mountain path to the gates of Ironhaven. Guards kept an eye on them as they got closer, but they didn't do anything. People used a city that was built on mining and metalworking.

The streets in Ironhaven were wide and useful, made to fit heavy mining equipment. People moved with purpose, and most of them wore work clothes that were practical. The sound of industry was everywhere, making a steady background noise.

The Knight's Station was a big building made of dark stone that seemed to absorb light. Above the door was the Elite Knight emblem, which was a sword crossed with a shield.

"Let me do the talking first," Lylia said as they got closer. "Tunner knows me, and that should help with getting to know people."

They went up the stairs and pushed the heavy doors open. There was a training room inside, with weapon racks and practice dummies lining the walls. At the other end, a huge man was working on forms with a warhammer that must have weighed fifty pounds.

Tunner Von Linner was built like a mountain. He was at least six and a half feet tall, and his shoulders looked like they were made of granite.

His skin was dark and worn from years of being underground, and his hair was cut short. He moved with surprising grace for his size, and the warhammer flowed through complicated patterns.

He finished filling out his form and turned to face them, wiping the sweat off his forehead. When he saw Lylia, his eyes lit up with recognition.

"Lylia Goldenwind?! I didn't know that I would see you in all places like this!" he said, his voice deep like a mine shaft. "I heard you quit the Knights and even opened a restaurant or something."

"I did," Lylia said as she stepped forward.

"If I see you here with that worried face, I bet there's something going on out there, huh?"

"Yes..."

"Meridian needs the Elite Royal Knights right now, and of course you're one of them. They need you in particular!"

Tunner's face got serious. "What happened?"

And so they started to explain, talking about the danger of the Calamity of Weapons and how badly they needed the help of the Elite Knights. In the city of Mistfall, Marina's group was having a similar conversation with Christoft Malcroft, but neither group knew yet if their requests would be heard.

Only time would tell...

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