The great ship cut through the waves and glided toward the docks of Easthaven, its arrival turning every head along the shore. It was a sight unlike any other the townsfolk had ever seen, massive, sleek, and possessing an almost ethereal, eerie beauty that made it look less like a vessel and more like sothing that had drifted out of legend. Whispers spread fast among the crowd gathering at the piers; sailors and rchants pointed, murmuring about the strange, magnificent craft.
Easthaven itself was a bustling, lively place, a perfect blend of dieval tradition and early Renaissance growth. Tall timber-frad houses leaned over narrow, cobblestone streets, while wider market squares opened up further inland.
Inside the town, the energy was palpable. Pedestrians wove between stalls piled high with goods, shopkeepers shouted their wares to passersby, and the constant sound of haggling filled the air. The scent of freshly baked bread, roasting at, and sweet spices mixed with the earthy sll of leather and sea salt, creating a unique, heavy perfu that hung over the district. The people were as varied as the goods they sold: common folk in simple linen tunics walked alongside hardened rcenaries clad in leather armor, their swords and daggers clinking softly with every step. It was a world away from the quiet, misty forests and rugged highlands they had left behind.
Lucian stood at the railing, scanning the town with sharp eyes. "Quite the place," he muttered.
After docking and securing the ship, the group decided to split up for efficiency.
Lucian turned to the others. "We need supplies, information, and maps. Let’s divide tasks."
Hiccup nodded. "Fishlegs, Tuffnut, Snotlout, you’re with . We’ll look for maps and talk to local."
rida grinned. "I’m going with Astrid, Ariel, and Ruffnut. We’ll handle shopping and gather rumors."
Lucian glanced at the tall, imposing figure beside him. "Mor’du and I will explore the town center. We’ll et back here before sunset."
As the groups dispersed, Lucian and Mor’du stepped off the docks onto the busy streets.
They hadn’t gone far when a cheerful voice called out.
"Hello, mister!"
A girl, no older than fourteen, suddenly appeared in front of them with a bright smile and a small wave. She wore a red cloak with the hood down, revealing chestnut hair, striking erald green eyes, and a smattering of freckles. A woven basket hung from her arm.
"I’m Ruby! Ruby Ridges. Nice to et you!" she said enthusiastically. "Mister, do you need a guide? I know this town like the back of my hand!"
[Ding! You have encountered a Special Character: Ruby the Red Riding Hood.]
[You have received: Special Blind Box.]
Lucian was montarily stunned but quickly composed himself. "How much would that cost, little girl?"
"Just one silver for the whole day, mister!" Ruby said cheerfully.
Lucian smiled, reaching into his pocket. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed a coin through the air. Ruby caught it effortlessly, her fingers closing around it, only for her eyes to widen instantly when she saw the tal glint and the heavy marking stamped upon it. It wasn’t silver at all. It was pure gold.
She looked up at him, stunned, holding the coin out nervously. "Uhm... sir? I... I don’t have change for sothing this big. It’s worth way too much!"
"Don’t worry about the change," Lucian said smoothly, gesturing for her to keep it. "Consider it a bonus. It’s all yours, as long as you lead us through this town properly."
Ruby’s mouth fell open, then she bead and jumped excitedly. "Then mister, where would you like to go?"
"I am looking for the main library or archives," Lucian told her. "The biggest one in the city."
"Okie dokie! Follow , Mister!" Ruby said, skipping ahead happily.
As they walked, Ruby turned back with sparkling curiosity. "Mister, what’s your na? And the big mister beside you too?"
"He’s Mor’du. My na is Lucian."
"Lucian, huh?" Ruby grinned. "That’s such a cool na! It’s just like the demon who made the dragons!"
Lucian raised an eyebrow. "A demon who made dragons?"
"Uh-huh!" Ruby nodded excitedly. "The clerics of the Church of Solarus say that after the world was created by the God’s tears, he made a sacred land where the first humans, Adam and Eve, lived."
Lucian smirked, sensing where this was going. "And let guess, Eve eats so forbidden fruit and they both get kicked out?"
Ruby burst out laughing. "Hehe, no way! That’s not what happened at all!"
"Really?" Lucian asked, feigning surprise.
She spun around dramatically. "The real story is that a demon nad Lucian, in the form of a snake, tricked Eve, made her pregnant, and she gave birth to dragons! That’s where dragons ca from!"
Lucian blinked, stunned into silence for a second. ’That fucking escalated fast,’ he thought. ’It went from a fairytale to sothing out of an NTR plot.’
Mor’du let out a deep, rumbling laugh. "Looks like your na ca from sothing interesting, lad."
Ruby tilted her head. "What’s so funny?"
"Nothing," Lucian said quickly, waving it off with an awkward smile. "Your story is just... different from the ones I’ve heard. Let’s keep moving."
Ruby shrugged cheerfully and continued skipping ahead. "We’re almost at the library, Mister Lucian!"
A little while later, the buzz of a crowd caught their attention. In the middle of a square stood a brightly colored caravan surrounded by excited townspeople. Several won with green skin and tall pointy hats were dramatically waving their arms, selling peculiar magical items.
"What’s going on over there?" Lucian muttered.
Ruby perked up. "Oh! That’s a Witch rchant Caravan! They’re from the Queendom of Moors. Queen Maleficent let them travel outside a few months ago. So beca rchants and sell magical things from their holand!"
Lucian’s eye twitched. "Maleficent... as in the Maleficent?"
"Yep!" Ruby nodded proudly. "Mistress of All Evil! She’s super famous for cursing King Stefan’s daughter!"
Lucian pinched the bridge of his nose. "Of course she is..."
Ruby tilted her head, noticing his reaction. "You look really surprised, Mister. Didn’t you know about her?"
"Not... exactly," he admitted slowly. "How do you know all this history and news so well?"
"Oh, it’s all in the Big News!" she said proudly, reaching into her basket and pulling out a slightly crumpled sheet of paper. She handed it to him with a grin. "I read it every day!"
Lucian unfolded it. The headline read: Lord Farquaad of Duloc Seeks a Wife
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