“Very well. Goodbye to you both! And for you, Thalys, have a safe trip!” Wevin Lo said cheerfully.
With that, Nalp hurried off towards the shore.
“So, that’s Thalys, eh? He must be one remarkable character for Nalp to take a liking to him,” Reala Mei said to Wevin Lo when the two were alone again.
“You’re right…it is one thing for Nalp to like the lad, but to give him a ride across the river! Nalp’s always had a thing for picking out powerful people. I’m sure Thalys has something that Nalp sensed in him. Something important…” Wevin Lo agreed.
In no time, Thalys stood along the shore of the river somewhat out of Aeromast. Nalp did not feel comfortable going into port, which seemed reasonable enough to the nobleman.
“If you ever happen by the river again, make sure to let me know,” Nalp said.
“I intend to…but how will I know where you’ll be?” Thalys asked.
“Oh, right. One moment please,” with that, Nalp disappeared into the deep waters. A few moments later he resurfaced and spat out a tiny rock in the shape of a potato. “That stone constantly lets out a specific sound wave that few creatures can pick up. In the water, I pick it up with ease. Just dip it in the water and I’ll hear it for sure.”
“Wow! Thank you very much so, Nalp,” Thalys said, marveling at the magical device.
“One more thing; if you ever need help related to travel across the water or something of that sort, make sure to let me know. I’m content where I am, but it does get lonely sometimes,” Nalp said, tossing what would seem to be a sea drake version of a wink to Thalys.
“Ah, yes of course,” Thalys said, returning with a nod. “Good day to you, Nalp, and have fun um…swimming or whatever you do when you’re bored.”
“I intend to!” Nalp said, mimicking Thalys’ earlier words with almost the same tone, which surprised the nobleman. With a slight chuckle, Nalp sank back under the water and disappeared from sight.
Thalys slipped his sound wave stone into a pouch on his belt and turned towards Aeromast. With a reassuring nod to himself, he walked off.
**********
Kara and the others made quick pace across the road leading to Sol City from Aeromast. After two days of travel and 1 night of rest, they could finally see the spiraling towers that marked the wonderful city of the sun. The group made it to the gates of Sol City the second evening of traveling. Wearing of their travels, the three of them stayed in an inn for the evening.
Early the next morning, the group hurried towards the city hall, which rested just east of the city center, where the magnificent portal to Altem Tier was.
The guards didn’t seem too enthused at their request to see the prime minister of Sol City, but at second glance they noticed who Kara was and escorted them all into the meeting hall.
“The prime minister, Alak Valmore will see you now,” one of the guards informed the three a moment later.
A few seconds after that, a tall, elegant woman walked into the room. She seemed all the royalty with her flowing purple robes and long, golden hair. Her eyes, which were almost completely white, seemed mesmerizing to say the least. “What can I do for the Guardian of Light?” she asked, taking a seat in a cushioned chair.
“Wait…you are Alak Valmore of Sol City?” Ezekiel asked, quite surprised. “I always thought Alak was a male’s name.”
The woman chuckled and motioned for everyone to take a seat in chairs. She waited until everyone did just that before continuing the conversation. “Well, you’d be correct in that statement. My father wanted a son so bad that when he found out he’d be having a daughter he kept the originally planned name anyway. It gets troublesome at times, but I find it very unique,” Alak said in a melodic voice.
“I see. That is interesting,” Ezekiel said, rubbing his chin.
“Miss Alak, we came here asking a favor of you,” Kara stated plainly, looking towards Faux for support, but finding that the rogue was a little too comfortable in his chair, and half asleep.
“What might this favor be?” Alak asked, pushing back a long strand of hair from her face.
“Well, we have reason to believe that the Bladenheart army that has recently come to power is being controlled by a man who possess the Adept’s Stone,” Kara began to explain, “and they hold fortress at Tier Bastion. We need the assistance of the Cloud City army to take down this enemy and bring the Adept’s Stone into good hands.”
“Ah yes, the Bladenheart army. My forces have already met in battle with them. They are up to no good, that is for sure…but I do not know if I could get any help from our mother kingdom without a more prominent threat to them, or us,” Alak said, a frown forming on her face.
“With the Adept’s Stone in their hands, who’s to say they aren’t a threat to everyone in Liteo?” Kara countered.
“You have a point, and I agree with you. I will see what the king himself says, but I can’t promise you anything,” Alak said.
“Please, we need to know as soon as possible,” Kara said quietly.
“And you will know soon. Please wait here while I go check. This may take a few minutes,” Alak said with a chuckle as she stood up. With a wave of her hand, a ring on her index finger lit up, and she disappeared.
“Um…did you see that?” Kara asked Ezekiel.
“A teleportation spell. I had heard of such magic, but never thought I’d see it myself…” Ezekiel explained, a shine of awe in his gray eyes.
“I guess we’ll wait then,” Kara said with a sigh. Both she and Ezekiel turned to Faux, who was curled up in a ball, deep asleep, in the chair. They couldn’t contain their laughter, which woke the sleepy rogue up.
“Uwah? What’s going on? Did we win?” Faux asked, which seemed one run-on sentence.
“We’re about to find out, sleepy one,” Ezekiel said teasingly, “you may go back to your slumber.”