She grinned. “Okay, Dread Pirate Roberts. I’m following you.”
He gave her a confused look but let it go, turning his attention back to the route ahead. It was a tricky thing, finding the spa retreat from the ground, and even more so when coming in from this direction. No one ever did. There were no actual paths. No trails. Just spaces in the lush forest that were wide enough for them to pass.
Where other parts of their journey had been beautiful and verdant, this put it all to shame. Nothing could compare to what they were walking deeper and deeper into. It was almost like something out of a fairytale, the trees and vines dense and the shrubs and plants bursting with life. And the colors. Oh, the colors were dazzling in their myriad hues, as if a technicolor explosion had sprayed the entire area with every shade imaginable.
The flowers were fragrant but not cloying, and the subtle smell of fresh water filled the warm air. Air that never grew cold from what Zepharos had said. The resort was actually a spa after all, and thermal baths were a key feature of it, lending the entire area an almost tropical feel.
People flew in from all across the planet to soak in the restorative waters. The mineral content was something quite unique, and, depending which plunge one took, it could relax one’s body or supercharge one’s pigments, all while healing any aches and pains.
Zepharos had only been once, and that was many years ago, but the visit had stayed with him ever since, as it did for pretty much everyone who ever came to this place. Enough so that he felt almost drawn to it as they neared the end of their trek.
“Mind your step, there are some pools outside the perimeter.”
“Noted. Does this mean we’re almost there?”
“It does. We will be there soon, if my navigation has been accurate.”
It was, and less than a half hour later they entered what appeared to be a more manicured section of forest. Only a minute later they stepped out into a clearing set in the forest, seeming to be a natural occurrence, but one that was actually very painstakingly crafted to blend perfectly with the surroundings.
Zepharos looked around and grinned broad and bright. “We’re here.”
He seemed to have a little added spring in his step as they walked across the grounds toward the main building. It was low and rustic looking, as all of them were, any signs of technology carefully hidden to maintain the overall vibe of the place. They stepped inside, a subtle spice fragrance tinging the air.
The style was simple and clean, warm woods and natural decor. Nothing jarringly mechanical or constructed was present, and it made for a most welcome and serene setting. Zepharos walked up to the tall desk at the far wall. A lithe, violet-skinned woman with pale green hair and dazzling blue eyes stepped out from a nearby door as he approached. She was wearing what almost looked like a sari, but of an exotic alien variety, the material supple and iridescent as it moved with her body. She moved to her place behind the desk to greet the unexpected arrivals.
“Hello, and welcome,” she said, smiling bright. “How can I help you? We do not have any arrivals scheduled for this evening, and I did not receive notice of a transport arriving.”
“Wait here,” Zepharos said, keeping Maria a safe distance away. She was a wanted woman, after all, and even here he still had to be cautious. He stepped up to the desk as casually as he could. “Hi. I know this is unusual, but speaking of transports, we just came in on foot.”
“Onfoot?” she echoed, surprised.
“Yeah, on foot. And it’s been a long walk. I’m hoping to arrange a ride to my village.”
“So, you are not guests, then?” the woman asked, clearly relieved that she hadn’t somehow dropped the ball and missed a reservation.
“No, we are not.”
“Ah, I see. Most unusual, but I am glad you found your way to us,” she said, her polite smile firmly in place, and without any sign of being forced. She was just a pleasant woman, even now in an unexpected problem-solving situation. “Now, you say you are seeking transport to a village? I’m sorry, but there are no ships until tomorrow.”
“Oh, uh—” he stammered, clearly not expecting that hiccup in his plan.
“If I may ask, which village are you flying to? Most of our visitors are from large cities, not villages.”
“You’ll laugh, but we are going to the Oraku.”
“The Oraku?”
“My home. Yes, I know it is surprising. Using technology to go to a place that avoids it. The irony is not lost on me.”
“No, it’s not that. It’s just that we recently hosted a newly bonded pair from precisely that village. A Nimenni prince and his Infala mate.”
Zepharos actually laughed out loud. “Heydar and Darla. Of course they came here. I assume Elder Tikanna arranged their visit?”
“She did. But you know the prince? You are friends?”
“We definitely know each other,” he replied with an amused grin but not going into their own personal history.
The woman seemed positively delighted by the news. He supposed it made sense. Having royalty visit their retreat was quite an honor, and he was now seen as part of that royalumbrella. Not exactly an entourage, but an honored visitor just the same.
