Even as I turned around, and put a significant amount of distance between me and the human village, I could not get this weight off my chest. There was something very wrong going on there. Only one other sentinel could help me uncover the truth, while also providing me with a path forward.
So I increased my pace and flew through the air, aiming myself towards the portal that led to Haru - The new Capital City of Zelist.
Before I knew it, I had arrived near the Centurion Glade, the center of the Evergreen Forest. There were Four portals, each leading to the key cities of the four seasonal courts in their respective regions.
I landed softly on the ground and studied the four portals.
Each one had intricate runes etched into them, these runes only activated the portal if you provided the correct phrase for the specific region.
My gaze landed on the frost covered runes of Haru’s portal. I stepped forward with determined steps and spoke the phrase in a soft but firm tone.
“Nanari.”
The runes immediately lit up, giving off an ice blue hue before a shimmering portal appeared in the center of the icy structure.
I took a deep breath and then walked through the portal. I felt a tingling sensation in my body as I was met with an intense white glow, but I kept walking and appeared out of the other side into Haru.
I looked around and for a moment took in the sight of the bustling city before me. I felt a pang of nostalgia and longing, as I gazed at the towering golden structures, the icy domes reflected the sunlight making them gleam.
“Is that the life weaver?”
A woman’s voice called out. I jolted from my observation and turned to look at a middle aged couple, the man was adorned in a simplistic but elegant silver robe, on both his shoulders the robe had a patch of purple - the symbolic color of the Nanari region.
The woman on the other hand was also wearing a silver robe, but it was more embroidered with stitches of gold, she was also wearing a purple cloth headdress, it had an embroidery of jewels and precious stones, which gleamed under the brightness of the sun magnificently.
I put a hand to my chest and dipped my head slightly in greeting, they did the same as was custom and moved on. By this time others noticed my presence as well, each one of them greeting me in the same manner, I responded to each one of them while moving hastily to my destination.
The Royal Palace of Nanari.
Even though I was near the city gates, I could see the towering silver spires, and the brilliant golden gleam of its walls clearly.
I focused deeply and tried to use my magic, so that I could fly hastily to my destination, but I realized I couldn’t.
My magic was spent.
I sighed with a hint of frustration, I had been careless and neglected my well being, now that carelessness was catching up to me.
I looked around, trying to think of a way to get myself to the royal palace quickly. I saw merchants adorned in red velvet robes, guiding the pixies, so they would float their heavy carts towards the large portal of the central plaza.
The thought hit me. Pixies. Of course.
I rushed forward towards one of the merchants. A rather burly looking fellow with white hair and a sharp chin.
“Excuse me. Pardon me sir.”
I called out, the merchant and his hired pixies stopped and their eyebrows shot up. They immediately put their hands to their chest in greeting.
“Sentinel Thalia, what an honor, how may I be of service to you?” He said in a low smooth tone.
I returned his greeting before speaking in haste, “You see sir, I was wondering if your pixies could lend me their dust so that I may fly to the palace, I am on urgent business you see.”
Him and his pixies looked equally surprised,I felt a rush of embarrassment and stuttered.
“Y-you see, I was healing the Evergreen Forest, and I… overused my magic, now I cannot fly and I am in haste to get to the Royal Palace.”
I expected him to give me a pitying look, but instead, he smiled warmly after studying me with his scrutinizing auburn eyes.
“Your dedication is truly admirable, Sentinel Thalia, of course we will help you.” He gestured to the pixies, and they nodded with warm smiles in return. They dropped the cart gently and circled around me.
As they poured a generous amount of pixie dust onto me, I felt a rush of magic and started to float. I giggled with relief and waved at the merchant and his pixies from high up in the air.
“I am in your debt, all of you.”
I called out to them, they immediately shook their heads frantically.
“Consider it our service to the crown Sentinel Thalia.”
I put a hand to my chest and rushed forward towards the palace.
As I flew, I felt the cold air of the Nanari region kiss my skin through the slits of my helm. I looked down and saw Haru’s residential area leaving me behind. I tilted my helm to the left, in the distance I could see the Veilmoon Market bustling with the crowd of traders, all of them dealing in equal exchange of goods.
I turned back to the approaching palace and could see it more clearly now. The intricately carved words on the walls described centuries of history, depicting events that transpired in the respective monarch’s reign.
I could see two guards stationed at the crystal gates of the palace. They were clad in Keeper armor, the armor specially designed for the Keepers of Nanari - The powerful blade wielders of Nanari Region. They stood guard in a stern stance, with large frost covered blades that glowed with an ethereal energy.
I straightened up my posture while flying towards them. This was it, I needed to explain to the King and Queen about what I felt in Trindledome, my thoughts echoed.
I knew my concern was valid, I had experienced darkness and corruption heavily while healing areas affected by the war, but this felt different, this felt like a force was actively spreading corruption, that this wasn’t static, this was-
My thoughts were cut off as I felt the magic of the pixie dust fade. I panicked, flailing my arms as the ground edged closer towards me. Suddenly I felt a strong pair of hands catch me. I looked up and saw one of the Keeper guards had caught me mid crash. He gently set me down and stepped back putting a hand on his chest.
I felt a rush of embarrassment again but swallowed it and returned his greeting.
“Thank you, respected Keeper.” I said softly, trying to maintain some dignity.
The Keeper simply nodded and spoke in a deep respectful tone, his blue eyes meeting mine.
“Grand Keeper Yozoran has been waiting for you ever since you sent word of your progress.”
I sighed, of course my brother was worried, he always was the protective type. Which I didn’t mind of course, but sometimes I wished that he would trust me more.
“I will talk to him, but first I need to speak with my parents.”
The Keeper looked back at his fellow guard then responded.
“King Malgus and Queen Falucia are in a meeting with the other monarchs of the seasonal courts. You might have to wait before they can grant you an audience.” He said in a firm tone.
My shoulders sagged with disappointment, this was not going well. I needed to speak with them urgently, I still felt the faint whisper of those multiple voices calling out in my chest. Every second that went by felt wasted for me.
The keeper, seeing my disappointment, cleared his throat and spoke in a gentler tone after a pause, “Nevertheless, I will send word to them of your arrival, as well as your request.”
My body relaxed as I looked up meeting his gaze, there was a softness there, a softness which I rarely saw in the cold dutiful gazes of the Keepers of Nanari.
He quickly turned his back to me and spoke firmly.
“Follow me please.”
He said and started walking in long strides towards the glimmering gates of the palace.
Once he pushed them open, he stepped aside waiting for me to walk in first. I put one foot forward, feeling that familiar nostalgia creeping up, but I shook my head to push it away and walked inside with a more confident stride.