Ismene and Airess climbed in first, followed by Taryn. Sheer fabric, the color of clay enclosed them. Earthborne servants wielded the rocks beneath the palanquin, lifting them into the air and propelling them forward. It was a surprisingly smooth ride, and Taryn watched Airess as she observed the Earthborn guards in awe.
Did Rune treat all their guests this way?
Finally, they arrived at the palace. It was just as he remembered. A white castle with several towers and terraces above, giving them a perfect view of the ocean beyond. The courtyard entrance was well-manicured, adorned with florals and palm trees.
As soon as they stepped out of the palanquin, they were immediately led into the castle. Even in his time here, he had never been inside. The floors were a mosaic of colored tiles favoring oranges, yellows and reds. Art hung every few feet, all depictions of the elemental Goddess, Eliamaid. Her raven hair covered her breasts, and she was pregnant in most paintings. Her pregnant belly wasn’t flesh, but a blue and green depiction of the world. The goddess held her pregnant belly–theworld–in her hands.
Although Taryn didn’t pay the Gods much heed, he found himself nodding to the painting in respect anyway.
He glanced at Airess walking alongside him. Her hair and clothing were damp, just like Taryn’s. She looked so tired. He had so many questions for her. How did she enter Rune? Who was this Ismene woman, and how did she save him? But his questions, however, would have to wait.
Two large white doors opened into a grand room.
The space was entirely empty. Polished colored tiles made up the floors. The walls were covered in gargantuan murals of each elemental symbol: Water, Air, Fyre, and Earth. The ceiling was plated in copper, as were the two thrones at the opposite end of the room. One throne was empty. The other throne was occupied, a Fae male sitting in it with his feet propped up.
“At last! My intruders arrive!” exclaimed the Fae male with a genuine smile, sitting up properly at their arrival. The male couldn’t have been much older than Taryn, likely in his late twenties.
It was the male’s eyes that struck Taryn first–vibrant royal blue irises with a subtle glow. The male had rich brown skin, his biceps adorned with copper arm links that matched the copper rings in his dark, long dreads. The male wore clothing of royal Runean fashion, a silk V-necked sleeveless vest with matching pants, his muscled chest and arms on display.
“King Roznarr Tozya, I present to you Airess Haeleth of the Judla province in Luciena.” Ismene gestured a hand to Taryn. “This male goes by Taryn Seas, an orphan of Rune, my king.”
Taryn’s chest burned at Ismene’s reminder of his origins.Thismale was the now-grown prince–King–he had heard about during his time here. Taryn recalled seeing Roznarr when he was a young male, always close to his father during any public event. Roznarr was only a teenager at the time. Even back then he was always polite, never failing to interact with the commoners in town. Roznarr was a prodigy among the Fae, well known for his rare ability to wield all four elements.
Looking at Roznarr now, Taryn could see there was a change within the male. Perhaps the weight of ruling crafted him into someone more bold, more power hungry. There was a glint of greed within the king’s eyes, Taryn could see it even beneath his supposed friendliness.
Taryn hadn’t known Rune’s former king had passed, his son now taking his place. Granted, there was a lot he didn’t know by being cut off from society in Luciena.
King Roznarr surveyed them both carefully before locking eyes with Taryn, those blue eyes flicking slightly to Taryn’s elemental earring. The king clasped his ring-adorned fingers together. “What an interesting pair to show up on Rune’s beaches. Tell me, how did you break through the ward? Last I recalled, Luciena had it sealed off a decade ago.”
Taryn and Airess glanced at each other, the look between them conveying a silent message that they both had no idea what this King was talking about.
“We simply…passed through, my King.” Taryn said first, taking a step forward. There was a stubbornness in Taryn that didn’t want to address this male as King, but he stifled it. “We had no knowledge it even existed. We fled the country and encountered it.”
Ismene leaned down and whispered something into the king’s ear. Taryn only heard a few words with his hearing, catching the wordssuspectandlike you. King Roznarr’s brows creased as she retreated, thrumming his fingers on the chair arm.
“We have not received refugees from your country in a decade. As unexpected as it was, Rune will not turn down those in need today. We will accept you as our humble guests,” the king announced, face animating as he stood. “You will be shown to your quarters for the time being. Perhaps we should throw a feast for our guests!”
The king snapped his fingers at one of the attendants. “Arrange it at once for tomorrow morning. We must give these people time to rest after such a long journey. I look forward to hearing of your travels.”
And with that, the pair was escorted out of the room.
Confused, Taryn followed closely behind Airess as they walked out of the palace, leaving as quickly as they came. They were led down a path through what seemed to be the palace gardens. The path led to a smaller looking home.
“The king has instructed you both to stay in the palace guest house for the time being,” An attendant said, “Right this way.”
Guest housewas an understatement. It wasn’t small by any means. It was large–almost as large as the Guild manor back in Lonskeep. The servant pushed open the rounded wooden doors and guided them inside.
The house was finely decorated with ornate rugs and plush furniture, all favoring the colors orange and yellow. The doorknobs and handles were brass, as were the cups sitting next to a complimentary barcart. They walked right into the living space of the house: two large couches on one side and a grand table that could fit twelve on the other. The large outdoor balcony across from them let in copious amounts of natural light.
“The house is equipped with several bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs. Dinner will be served later tonight, so please get settled. Tomorrow morning we will arrive to get you both prepped and ready for a meal with the king and Queen Dowager.”
The Queen Dowager? Taryn hadn’t expected to be greeted with such hospitality, especially a private audience with the king and Queen Dowager.
The attendant left, and Taryn and Airess were left standing in the common room alone. When the door closed behind the last attendant, Taryn finally turned to look at her.
“That was entirely too easy.”
“Wasn’t it?” Airess asked in agreement, beginning to pace as she usually did when she had a lot on her mind. “I never expected to end up sleeping in aroyalguesthouse tonight. How could they just accept us so easily?”
