After a few hours, the streets were nearly empty. The merchants closed their shops and retreated homewards to have lunch. Even the number of patrolling guards was reduced. Jake and Emily made full use of this opportunity to enter the capital district undetected and gain access to the royal garden. A couple of Vanguards were stationed inside the garden while 3 Elementalists were guarding the palace. Most of the human Warriors were busy patrolling the capital district.
Avoiding the gaze of the Vanguards was rather easy for them since the trimmed bushes offered great cover. At the western most edge of the garden was a hidden trap door which opened onto a secret path. Jake carefully lifted the trapdoor, while Emily kept watch. With a lantern in hand, he jumped into the dark underground passag
