Night had fallen over Yul'thera and Lady Thalyra had arrived back into the Kingdom with her escorts.

She dismounted from her horse while stretching her shoulders after the long ride from Dragonhold.

Her daughters, Veyra and Tianara, followed close behind and did the same.

High Priestess Selara approached at once, bowing her head in respect, before gesturing toward the palace.

Thalyra motioned for her daughters and escorts to go on ahead, then fell into step beside Selara as they walked through the corridors toward her private chambers.

Once inside with the door closed behind them, Selara wasted no time. "My lady, we have guests," she said simply.

Thalyra raised an eyebrow and removed her traveling cloak, hanging it over the back of a chair.

"Guests?" she repeated.

It was a word she rarely heard.

"Aiden Crowley," Selara replied. "Along with two women, his companions."

Thalyra paused for a moment. Hearing that name right now didn't make sense.

She was certain she had seen him at the coronation not long ago.

However before she could have any further reactions, Selara explained the whole purpose of their travel and the entire ordeal of earlier today.

Then she added, "But there's more you should know. I received instructions directly from the Goddess Lucina herself to see to their hospitality and ensure they are treated with the utmost care."

Thalyra's expression shifted immediately and her eyes narrowed. "Lucina gave you instructions? Did she mention a particular reason?"

Selara shook her head. "No, my lady. She only made it clear that we are to provide them with everything they need."

Thalyra let out a long sigh and rubbed her forehead. "This is Lucina we're speaking of," she said quietly. "We don't want to mess with her, especially not when she's taken a direct interest in someone."

"Exactly," Selara agreed.

Thalyra was silent for a moment before nodding once. "Then we do as the goddess commands."

—

Later that night the throne room had been transformed into a space to host people held in high esteem.

With long tables set up and covered in platters of different food and fruits, while servants moved quietly between the tables ensuring everything was perfect.

Aiden sat on one side of a decorated table with Laela to his left and Arianna to his right, both women looking around the room with curiosity at the unusual hospitality being shown to them.

Aeris stood near the corner of the room among the other servants, her hands clasped in front of her as she waited to attend to their table if needed.

Lady Thalyra sat across from them with her daughters beside her. They both watched Aiden and his women curiously.

The guide, a tall woman named Myrenne with dark braided hair, stood off to the side with her arms crossed while High Priestess Selara remained near the Lady.

Thalyra lifted her cup slightly in a gesture of welcome and spoke with a calm but measured tone. "I must admit I'm surprised that you and your companions arrived at my kingdom several long hours before I did," she said. "If that was by your magic, then I must admit, the tales of your abilities seem to be entirely true."

Aiden said nothing, simply watching her as though waiting for her to continue.

Thalyra set her cup down and leaned forward slightly. "The high priestess has informed me of where your route is headed," she continued. "I would ask again if it's entirely necessary that you travel to Dellheim or if this is perhaps something on behalf of Lord Oberon. Nothing alive exists in that place anymore, it's a wasteland."

Aiden met her gaze evenly. "It's our matter to handle regardless," he said firmly. "And it has nothing to do with Oberon."

Thalyra studied him for a moment longer before nodding slowly. "Very well." She gestured toward Myrenne who stepped forward slightly.

"This is Myrenne, one of our finest guides and warriors. She knows the land better than anyone and will take you to the borders of Dellheim."

Myrenne gave a curt nod but said nothing.

Thalyra continued. "First thing tomorrow we'll have horses and supplies ready for your journey. If you wish we can also send a few soldiers with you for backup or additional protection."

Arianna and Laela exchanged glances and both of them found the sudden kindness strange given how their arrival had started with violence at the border.

Aiden laughed quietly and shook his head. "I need none of that," he said plainly. "But I must ask, why the sudden help?"

He leaned back slightly and his eyes remained fixed on the queen. "First of all I've done you no favors and I even fought your soldiers not long ago. Yet suddenly all this assistance? There has to be something."

Thalyra smiled faintly and tilted her head. "Don't you think it's wise on our part to develop a form of allyship with the strongest mage on the continent?"

Before Aiden could respond, High Priestess Selara stepped forward suddenly as if something had just tingled her senses.

Her expression shifted slightly and she placed one hand over her heart before speaking. "My lady, if I may."

Thalyra gestured for her to continue.

Selara turned her gaze toward Aiden. "The Goddess Lucina agrees with your purpose to enter Dellheim and favors your journey."

Thalyra let out a quiet sigh and tilted her head slightly to the side as if resigned to the situation.

Aiden looked at Selara strangely for a moment, his brow furrowing. "What does that mean?"

Selara explained calmly. "As high priestess I have the most direct connection to the gods and they sometimes communicate through me. I'm simply passing along information from the goddess."

Aiden stared at her for a few seconds longer before nodding once and saying nothing more, though his expression still looked puzzled.

————

Meanwhile in Rhyos's temple, Lucina stood before the gateway with her hands clasped behind her back as she watched the scene unfold in the throne room below.

She smiled slowly and turned toward Rhyos who stood off to the side with his arms crossed and his face still frowned.

"Let's see if your plan to befriend Thyrak's vessel actually works," Lucina said with a sly grin. "If it doesn't, we'll do things my way."

She turned and walked toward the temple doors. Herxes, who had been standing silently near the entrance, glanced over at Rhyos with a sheepish expression.

Rhyos turned his head away sharply. "You disappoint me, Herxes," he said coldly. "Leave my temple."

Herxes hesitated for only a moment before following after Lucina without another word.

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