Air tore past his ears as Nefarian's broad wings sliced through the clouds, tiny ice crystals clinging to his gray-black feathers.
Veylin sat in the windproof saddle, holding the leaf badge.
Below lay an endless sea of green forest-the domain of the Evergreen Council.
Six months earlier, when he had first tried to approach this airspace, a dense barrage of enchanted arrows had greeted him.
But today was different.
[My lord, watch straight ahead. Knights are approaching.] Veylin received a warning from a Stuka Knight.
The clouds churned, and three golden eagles with wingspans of over ten meters burst through them.
The Elf knights riding the eagles wore mithril chain mail, their chests bearing an oak leaf and crossed swords-the insignia of the Evergreen Council's elite Sky Eye patrol.
The lead Elf knight climbed higher, then flew alongside Veylin on his left. He removed his helmet, revealing a handsome face, the tips of his long ears twitching slightly.
He pressed his right hand to his chest and gave Veylin an Elven salute.
"Greetings, White Tower Count, ally of nature. Marquis Golden Ear has long awaited your arrival in Silvania. Please allow us to escort you."
Veylin nodded slightly, unable to help smiling.
Ally of nature.
Six months earlier, that title had been "greedy short-lived creature."
What had changed everything was not Veylin's personal charm, but the black insects tirelessly devouring ecological waste throughout the Elves' lands.
"Lead the way," Veylin replied curtly.
The golden eagle knights swiftly adjusted their formation, two guarding the flanks while the third led the way.
Such honors were usually reserved for legendary Druids with long lifespans or the sovereigns of nations.
The party began to descend through the clouds, and a magnificent city built atop enormous trees gradually unfolded before them.
Silvania, capital of the