He caught their attention the moment he stepped into their range.

Three men, well-dressed, plus a woman. They all looked as rich as their status demanded.

One of the men, with short blue hair and a rounded body, fully turned to face him, his gaze just as assessing.

"It’s rare to see new faces in these parts of the border," he calmly said.

Atheline smiled then nodded.

"Yes, just passing by... " he let his words trail off.

This caught the other three’s attention.

"Where do you come from?" The woman asked.

"The capital," he said then added shyly, " my wife and I are having a bit of travelling as newlyweds."

His gaze went to Lilith, who was staring at him the whole time. The manipulators looked between the two their eyes widening.

"You’re a fast one."

Atheline’s head tilted a fraction.

"How so?"

"The union between high elves and dark elves has been approved and you’ve already secured yourself a wife."

A small chuckle escaped him.

"I can’t help it," he said, then his voice lowered, " we were a forbidden couple."

"Ooh," the woman said the curiosity visible in her gaze.

Atheline leaned slightly on the counter assuming a lazy posture.

"My wife and I would appreciate it if you could help us reach our destination."

The more serious and older one, with short brown hair, met his gaze understanding passing through them.

"State your destination. "

His voice was rougher and deeper than the others. His voice carried the usual a little condescending but normal tone of a manipulator.

"The third kingdom. Capital. "

He didn’t try to soften it, any less and they would go around in circles.

The manipulators glanced between them a frown marrying each of their foreheads.

"We’re not running open transit right now," the woman explained trying to soften the blow, then added, "We got the order early morning from the capital. "

Atheline frowned.

"So no one is really allowed. "

The blue-haired one shook his head." Only priority movements are allowed."

Atheline stared between the four of them then his gaze moved to Lilith, who was also looking at him.

She had clearly heard what was being said.

"Then consider our priority, " he said his voice still calm.

One of them exhaled through his nose, unimpressed.

"Everyone thinks themselves as priority in the borders," the blue-haired manipulator said," the beast tide is building, we can’t cater to everyone. "

He knew it already, the beast tide was keeping everyone on edge.

The teleportation lockdown had essentially locked those who wanted a fast escape out of the kingdom, unless you had a lot of money of course.

From behind, he felt it before she could even move. She approached calmly having heard the whole conversation.

Atheline stepped aside, giving her a comfortable space beside him..

"Do we look unnecessary," she softly asked, but the coldness in her words could not be missed.

His gaze flickered to her for a second, gesturing for her to wait a little and let him handle it.

She hesitated then leaned on him without a care.

He redirected the conversation to him.

"We’re not asking for convenience, "he said," we’re asking for passage. "

He could feel their attention settle fully on him now.

’Good, just stay on me’

He slowly reached into his coat, just to make sure he didn’t look suspicious.

He didn’t want it to be mistaken for an attack.

The universal token was exactly where Lilith had slipped in. He placed it down at the edge of the table.

Lilith also placed hers next to his.

He watched their reactions, they seemed to recognise it but since they were backwater manipulators, they may not have encountered a lot of people using the token.

"Where did you get those," the female manipulator asked and picked up Lilith’s token.

He didn’t answer immediately and let the silence stretch between them.

He could see their frustrations rising with each passing moment.

A rough voice came breaking the silence.

"This token isn’t just given to everyone."

The others turned to him.

"It’s a universal token, it allows them to use the portal once to any destination they want."

The blue-haired manipulator tapped his fingers on the table in irritation.

"But it’s restricted, " he repeated, " we’re not even sure if the token allows teleportation outside of the kingdom. "

It was a little reasonable under normal circumstances but not this time.

"It allows, " Atheline calmly but firmly said.

The oldest of them, studied him for a moment as the words settled between them.

It was clear Atheline was hell-bent on leaving the kingdom.

He was calculating, deciding whether it was worth the trouble.

He let out a soft exhale and got off his chair.

"Fine."

The others followed.

"Quick transfer only," the woman added.

Atheline smiled.

"Understood. "

Queen transfer was a little shaky since it uses less energy though not good for his health.

Lilith was about to complain but Atheline pulled her towards the doors with the manipulators following behind.

The walk to the teleportation hub wasn’t long but it was filled with bone-chilling coldness.

The man by the door was fully asleep even in the cold. He never woke up when they entered.

Anyone would mistake him for the dead if not for the small breath intact.

The four manipulators organised themselves and small chants left their lips as they activated the magic circle.

He stepped onto the circle and felt the familiar shift immediately.

Lilith stepped beside him her hand wrapping around his wrist holding it tightly.

"We’ll rest in the third kingdom’s capital," she said," this is going to be a little harder, tell me if you don’t feel okay."

Atheline nodded.

"I didn’t think our travels would be this fast," he said.

She nodded.

"I wanted us to rest back in the capital before proceeding forward, " she said.

Atheline squeezed her hands but something nagged at the back of his mind.

"I don’t want to be pessimistic, but our journey has been too smooth since our first attack. "

She nodded her eyes growing colder.

"Let’s just hope they gave up but..." she said letting out a sarcastic chuckle,"... as they would."

"I can’t shake off this bad feeling, " he confessed.

She stared at him for a moment then dropped her gaze.

"Here, keep this with you."

"The pills?"

"Yes, just in case."

Atheline nodded and stored them. They were going to arrive in the third kingdom on the fourth day before the six-day deadline.

All of that felt so unreal.

"Dear light, protect us."

The magic circle fully lit up.

"The circle is ready, safe travels."

The light swallowed them.