To the ethrean city, Thyrel

Year 23215, month of Jezez

Kaley Zarra

(age 15)

The carriage slowed to a halt. Gate check. The swaying motion of the carriage moving forward sent jitters through her stomach. Kaley’s leg bounced with excitement. She peeked out the curtained window, and watched the gates of Thyrel pass overhead.

“Mother? Why isn’t father here?” Kaley had been itching to ask since they started out from Criysous two days prior.

“He is selecting his new advisor today. He wanted to be here,” Her mother smiled gently and brushed Kaley’s wavy hair back behind her ear. “But he wouldn’t want you to dwell on it. He would want you to enjoy yourself. It’s not often we are invited inside the Ethrean city. I hear they have some of the most delectable sweets in all of Marmidon.” She winked.

Kaley smiled, the thought of having something sweet reminded her of her father. He would want them to enjoy the visit. She sat back and waited until they stopped. The door opened. The cold air of winter rushed in, causing bumps to run up her arms and legs. She pulled her cloak tightly around her arms.

“Go on dear. Let’s see what Thyrel has to offer Marmeada.”

With a gasp in awe, Kaley took in the sight of a tall pearly tower. It reminded her of the seashells she found at the beaches of Solesstriane. Even in the light covering of snow, the perfectly trimmed gardens far outdid any she had seen at home. She spun around, looking at each unique home and building. There seemed to be no end to the diversity.

“Queen Natalia, and Princess. I am Thoren Belfry. I will be your guide through your stay with us. Any questions, feel free to ask.” A gentle, yet strong toned Ethreain man approached them, his face calm and unchanging, and his pointed ears the clearest feature of his race. “May I escort you to your dwellings for the time you are with us?”

“Of course, thank you.” Her mother took Thoren’s offered arm.

Kaley walked quickly to keep up. They approached one of the more unique buildings. The way it looked made Kaley think it had grown that way. A massive tree grew outward, with its branches winding like vines and holding stained glass between the openings. The living space inside was just as large as her parent’s room. It held all the essentials and was still surprisingly roomy.

“I hope this is to your liking.” Thoren gave a regal gesture to the dwelling.

Her mother gave the room a good look. “It is lovely.”

“Shall I leave you two ladies to get settled? I can have a schedule brought of all events taking place, and the meetings for which you came.” He took a step back towards the stairs that led down and out of the tree.

“That would be perfect, thank you.”

Thoren gave a respectful nod, turned and left. Kaley stared at the stairway; she had just taken notice of how long Thoren’s nearly white hair was. More than halfway down his back. She brushed her hands over her hair, measuring it against herself. It rested just past her shoulders.

“What shall we do first?”

Kaley looked to her mother. Her brows furrowed as she tried to think of what she’d heard about the Ethrea. They have great food, craft the best weapons known far and wide, oh! She jumped up and down a little.

“Can we see weaving?” her hands clasped at the base of her chin and she conjured the largest puppy eyes she could.

With a sweet loving laugh, her mother nodded. “I think that is a wonderful plan. Let’s see this amazing magic.”

She clapped her hands together, a smile so wide across her face her cheeks hurt.

They left their guesthouse. A younger looking Ethrean woman stood at the base. She handed over a sturdy folder.

“This is the schedule Thoren promised.” Her voice was soothing.

“Much appreciated. Where can we find someone willing to show us some weaving?” Kaley felt her mother’s hand wrap around her shoulder and rub it a little.

“Thoren would be happy to show his skills. Come, I can take you to him.” She looked down at Kaley. Her already beautiful face became fairer with her gentle smile.

Kaley smiled as her eyes took in the sight of the snow-covered gardens as they walked. Her breath caught in her chest once the sun set and the pathways began to glow. The pathways looked just like mother of pearl, with the hidden colors in the creamy white that sparkled. A giggle escaped and her heart beat faster with all she looked at.

Market stalls with exotic goods dotted the main courtyards between homes and shops. Light beamed from crystals suspended in netting and various holders throughout the city. It felt like a fairytale to be here. Music played off in the distance, a mixture of string and wind instruments playing tunes of a most mesmerizing key.

“Here we are.”

Thoren appeared to dwell in a home similar to the guesthouses, but it was farther out from the grand tower than Kaley thought it would be. The woman knocked and stepped back. A few moments passed before the door opened. Thoren smiled and opened the door fully.

“How can I help you this evening?”

“We are intrigued with the skill your kind naturally holds. Kaley here was hoping you could show us this magic.”

“Ah, weaving. I would be happy to demonstrate.” He stepped out and closed his door behind himself.

He looked around at a few different spots. Kaley couldn’t tell exactly what he was looking for, but tried following his gaze. He first looked in the direction of glowing crystals in a nearby pedestal, then to a banner hung above on a strong cord, and last to what she figured was the nearest snow-covered bush.

“Now watch closely,” He pointed at the bush. “Syette Kelojose Lisma Zeed.” Thoren spoke the strange words in a whisper.

Kaley then caught sight of movement. The light that had been emanating from the crystals flew through the air to the colorful red banner above them. The banner flitted down towards the bush, crumpling and shifting its shape. The moment it touched the bush, it was absorbed. Kaley looked up at Thoren, who caught her glance.

“Watch now, or you’ll miss it.” He pointed back at the bush.

The bush began to push up blooms, bright red glowing roses. She felt her eyes widening. Her mouth hung open. “Can…can I take one?” She pointed to the flowers.

“Of course. Allow me.” Thoren walked over to the bush and took a large bloom. He whispered to the rose, passing a hand softly over it. “It will light wherever you desire it with a simple command. Speak the word Lisma to light it or put it to sleep.”

“How does the light shine from it, and the crystals?” Her mother and Thoren started into a conversation, but Kaley’s focus was on the flower in her hand.

The flower looked and felt real. She tugged at a petal, it popped off just as a flower’s would. A very soft glow emanated from the petal.

Kaley’s focus on the flower changed suddenly with the rising gasps and worry that spread like fire from the groups of Ethrean nearby. She searched for the cause of their disturbance, feeling unease in her gut. Her breath caught in her lungs, her grip around her rose tightened, and she froze in place at the sight of a large white-scaled beast. Large membranous wings beat rhythmically, keeping itself suspended off the ground until everyone beneath had rushed out of the way. It landed gracefully, tucking large wings at its sides that covered halfway down its four muscular legs and clawed paws. It held its head high, observing the people around it. Such creatures were rarely seen now. The Great Hunt took place long ago, leaving very few of the Nauxen alive.

“Behind me.” Thoren pulled Kaley behind him, her mother joining.

She got the feeling that Thoren didn’t trust the beast, a natural response to a creature as powerful as this one. She then spotted two riders. One she recognized and immediately called out to, waving her hand. Her fears dissipated.

“Father!” she pushed past Thoren and approached.

“My my, what a spectacular sight!” Her father, King Deviss Zarra, smiled and jumped to the ground. “Kaley, Natalia!” he opened his arms and Kaley rushed into them, taking in her father’s comforting embrace.

“I thought you were selecting the new advisor?” Natalia approached, cautious of the beast.

“Allow me to introduce Maurrem Devoy, our new advisor.” He pulled back from Kaley and stepped aside to allow her to see the other man still atop the beast.

“You must be very wise for one so young. We expect great things from you Maurrem.” Natalia laced her arm around her husband’s.

Kaley felt her face scrunching with slight distaste. He wasn’t exactly what she had pictured a royal advisor to be. He wore dark clothing, wrapped in a black cape. His descent was Dershjan like herself, but his skin looked paler and his face a bit gaunt. A strange feeling of unease filled her whole being when their eyes met.

“He tamed this Naux and brought me here to be with you for this important trade deal! Now we can enjoy Thyrel as a family!” Deviss rested a hand on Kaley’s shoulder with a light squeeze. Looking to Maurrem, Kaley caught the look of disgust on his face. Maurrem promptly turned his face away from them to hide it.

“With your permission, Sire, I would like to return and begin preparing for my duties.” Maurrem’s voice sounded as passive as he looked.

“Of course. You’ve been shown your quarters. I will return with my Queen and daughter in three days’ time.” Her father waved a dismissing hand.

The moment the dismissing wave dropped, Maurrem spoke to the beast in a foreign tongue and the Naux took to the sky. The force of wind generated by the beating wings blew the glowing bloom from Kaley’s hand. She gasped at the cold snow that hit her exposed face, ducking until the air settled. Searching for the bloom, she found it over by the door of Thoren’s home. She picked it up and looked to the sky, watching the Naux fly east towards Criysous.