CANELIS FRACHDAL's promotion comes with a price and that is to investigate a supply issue in the army. Upon arrival, she is greeted with a renegade camp underneath the Army's nose, a magical anomaly creeping inward from the ocean, and warring sides...
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2407 Iclis 09, Daleth
The outposts in Xai-Ren reminded Canelis of the Temples, only it was stouter, plainer, and more lifeless. Unlike the bright colors the Temples were painted with, the outposts surrounding the wall between Yin-Alora and Xai-Ren looked like fake copies with their peeling off-white paint and creaky foundations. Let her hope the ones near the edge of Xai-Ren would be prettier, at the least.
She had spent almost two days on the road, wishing to be sleep in a place where the insects weren't trying to kill her. By the time morning rolled in on her second day of the journey, she had slapped a dozen buzzing bodies off her white robes. The heat wasn't letting up either, so maybe that's the cause of these bloody spawns to be in a frenzy. Now, as the line of pointed roofs and crenelations lining the parts of the walls pointed towards Ok-Sa crept into Canelis's horizon, she squared her shoulders and rested a hand on her steed's mane.
"Just a little more now, don't worry," she whispered to the animal. It huffed softly in return, whishing its brushed tail to help swat at the insects plaguing Canelis's air space, making her chuckle. "I guess they're bothering you too, huh?"
The beast didn't answer but continued putting its legs in front of another, bringing Canelis forward. She had taken to a kraejen from the stables, knowing full well which one would be the best suited for long travels without breaks. Bringing the mare with a rich, brown coat and a gentle personality was one of the best choices Canelis had made for herself.
Beside her, some of Marshal Kherol's men rode along, keeping their eyes on the road and not bothering to talk to the others like they were trained. Despite being in a neutral army territory, it's still best to be alert at all times for any surprises.
Indeed, there was nothing strange happening around Canelis as soon as they broke free from the endless forest preppering the crests and came across the vast plain making up the valley. If she craned her neck just enough, she could glimpse of the stairs leading up to the Temple of Light hammered into the side of the mountain. The Temple, itself, sat on the peak and reached for the heavens with its seemingly-endless floors. She didn't need to turn her steed to her left. The Temple of Dark would be in the same situation as its counterpart to her right.
The Twin Temples, as the other officers in the Army called them. Xai-Ren was the valley between them.
"Crown General," a soldier called, referring to her by her newly-assigned title. It always sounded weird in her ears, knowing full well that it could get taken away from her the moment she failed this new assignment. The Riogener didn't need to say that for her to get what their conversation before she left the Royal villa meant. "We will be clearing this town for not another hour. Shall we rest?"
Canelis eyed the mass of pixies dressed in plain tunics and dresses mingling about in their day-to-day activities. Merchants, smiths, and even lumbermasters strutted about, bearing their goods while chattering away with a brightness and energy she hadn't seen once in the soldiers back in the fortress. There were smiles and laughter there too but nowhere near as hearty as the noises she was hearing now. Was this what the scholars refer to as "freedom"?
