The Mage Wars

Old Kilmat

22 Zenith of the year 13006

After many days of travel, a town appears on the horizon. It takes our company of seventeen three hours to arrive at the town. By the time we arrive it's after dinner time.

We are greeted by guards at the main gate and are granted access to the town by the knight on duty. The male doesn't need much prodding to allow us entry. He was, after all, at my coronation. He knows who I am. Hard not to these days.

Like its new counterpart, Old Kilmat is filled with trade and an outpost of knights from Vanora. Many who travel through Old Kilmat say they enjoy the hospitality. It's a good thing to hear.

Every once in a while, I'll receive an update from Old Kilmat. Last year, the temple for the spirits burned down and had to be rebuilt. Hence, the letter, messenger, and an empty box. The money was well spent. Even from the main gate, one can see the temple looming.

With some directions, we find an inn. When we arrive at the inn, we find a familiar face—a face three of us haven't seen in two years. But a more than welcome face nonetheless.

Sitting on a stump is an awfully familiar brunette. The male's signature bun is exactly how I remember it looking. Two years is nothing in the eyes of a fae. He looks up from eating his sandwich when I call his name.

Alistar stands from the stump and gives a bow. "Your majesty,"

"I could have sworn we hadn't past Old Kilmat," I dismount Hunter. Beside me, Galen does the same. My knees and legs would have wobbled four days ago, but I've since adjusted to the strain of riding long distances. A perk of being young and fit.

Once on the ground, Galen motions for the rest of our company to dismount. My brother stands beside Zorian. Likely to keep an eye on him. But our cousin looks more terrified than anything. I may have a word with him later.

"You are correct. You have not passed Old Kilmat," Alistar states. He chuckles at my reaction.

Now that is interesting. Perhaps he's visiting family or travelling as people like to see the sights, or he could be here for various reasons.

I nod slowly. "We haven't? Then what are you doing here? Or are you taking a trip?" If he is taking a trip, I'd love to hear all about it. I'm afraid I haven't had the time to travel, not yet, at any rate.

"I own an inn in Old Kilmat on top of my inn in Kilmat," Oh. How convenient. Now we have to stay in his inn. He was so good to us the last time we stayed in Kilmat.

"How entrepreneurial of you," I smile brightly at Alistar.

"Thank you, my lady,"

I gesture to the now strikingly familiar building behind Alistar. I suppose I should have recognized it when we arrived. "I don't suppose this is your inn?"

"Why it is,"

I smile wider at the wonder we call our favoured innkeeper, even if it has been two years. I tell Alistar we would love to stay at his inn if he will have us. I did puke the first time we met. It was when we were travelling back to Vespera after spending time in Vanora that I found out I puked in Alistar's favourite plant.

I'm still looking for the rare plant to replace the one that died. I'll have to ask Uncle Hadriel if he knows what kind of plant it is. He is a botanist in his spare time.

Alistar yells for a lad named Iwan to take our horses and have them stabled and fed.

A strong male comes out of the stables beside the inn. He nods to Alistar, then nods to me. He takes Hunter and reaches for Keith—one by one, the male escorts each horse into the stables.