The morning sun streamed through the palace windows as our group gathered in the main courtyard, where Ian had arranged for a sleek hovering transport that looked more like a luxury yacht than a vehicle. The craft's silver hull gleamed in the early sunlight, adorned with subtle dragon motifs that seemed to shift and move as the light caught them.
"Now this is traveling in style," I murmured, watching as palace attendants loaded our luggage into the cargo hold.
"Wait until you see the interior," Ian said with obvious pride. "My family doesn't do anything halfway."
Stella practically vibrated with excitement beside me, clutching a small travel bag Reika had helped her pack the night before. She wore another traditional Southern continent outfit—this one a practical but elegant tunic and pants ensemble in deep blue with silver threading that made her look like a young adventurer from one of her storybooks.
