"We're not looking for trouble." Aether told Amber, trying to show the Outrider that they were just travelers. Amber crossed her arms and kept her eyes on them.
"That's what all the troublemakers say." Amber said.
"Hello. I'm Aether. This is Sying." Aether introduced the trio to the suspicious girl.
"Those don't sound like local names to me. Wait, did you say Sying?" Amber questioned.
"Long time no see." Sying waved with a smile.
"How have you been? Is she doing okay?" Amber asked.
"I'm fine, and the kid's doing great." The adeptus replied.
"You know her?" Aether spoke.
"I sure do. We met in Mondstadt last year." He responded.
"So to sum it up, you're traveling partners, right?" Amber wondered. Aether nodded. "Well look, there's been a large dragon sighted around Mondstadt recently. Best you get inside the city as soon as possible. It's not far from here. I'll escort you there." She decided. Sying rolled his eyes.
"Oh? Aren't you out here for some other reason?" Sying reminded the girl. Amber looked up at the tall adeptus.
"I am. But not to worry, I can keep you two safe while doing that too. Besides... I'm still not sure if I can trust him just yet!" Amber admitted.
"That's a rather rude way to speak to guests." Aether said.
"Oh, ahh... I'm sorry. Probably not something I should say as a knight. I give you my apologies, uh... strange yet... respectable travelers." Amber apologized.
"That sounded so fake!" Sying laughed, crossing his arms.
"Do you have something against the type of language usage prescribed by the Knights of Favonius Handbook, mister?" Amber asked. That question caused Sying to laugh even more until Aether tugged on his ponytail. Once Sying was quiet, Amber began leading the trio to some unknown destination. "So, suspicious traveler, what are you doing in Mondstadt?"
"I got separated from my sisters during a really long journey. Sying is my travel buddy. He's going to help me find my sisters." Aether told the girl.
"Oh, looking for your family... huh. Ah, okay! Let me finish my other stuff first, and then I can help you put up posters around the city." Amber told the trio.
"What exactly is it you need to finish doing first?" Sying wondered.
"It's simple. You'll understand in a bit." Amber replied. She led them up a hill and a hilichurl archer noticed the four of them. Upon looking at Sying, the hilichurl immediately ran back to camp.
"Ah! A hilichurl!" Aether exclaimed.
"Quick! Get it!" Amber commanded, chasing after it.
"Wait!" Sying yelled, chasing after the Outrider. Aether followed the adeptus confused. When the four travelers reached the hilichurl camp, Sying knocked the bow out of Amber's hands before she could fire an arrow at a hilichurl archer.
"Sying, what are you doing?" Amber growled, picking up her weapon. Sying ignored the girl and turned his attention to the hilichurls. They were different from the normal hilichurls. Their masks had a yellow star on them. The hilichurls tackled the tall adeptus into a hug.
"Hey guys! I missed you. How have you been?" Sying asked in hilichurlian. Amber put her bow away as Aether watched Sying interact with the hilichurls. Sying sat up and gave each hilichurl a pat on the head. "I'm going to have to ask you guys to move your camp somewhere else. You're too close to Mondstadt." Sying told the hilichurls. The creatures said something to the adeptus and walked away from the camp they were living in. Sying stood up and faced his traveling companions.
"I didn't know you could speak hilichurl." Aether said.
"You never asked." Sying replied. Amber looked confused, but she quickly regained composure.
"Um... Thank you for the help, Sying. Now that the hilichurl problem has been taken care of, I can take the three of you to Mondstadt." Amber informed the travelers as the duo resumed following Outrider Amber to Mondstadt. The three travelers made their way to a stone bridge that led to Mondstadt's entrance. The walls of Mondstadt were made of stone bricks with large windmills poking over them. Two red banners outlined in gold hung on each watchtower. An open iron gate was guarded by two knights. Once the trio passed the gate, many shops, small businesses, and houses could be seen. Most places had small flower beds near the entrances. Farther away, a large statue of Barbatos was visible and behind that, was a cathedral. "Let me officially introduce the city of wind, dandelions, and freedom! Travelers under the protection of the Knights of Favonius, welcome to Mondstadt!"
YOU ARE READING
Meraki
Fanfictionthe soul, creativity, or love you put into something; the essence of yourself that is put into your work. In which the King of Khaenri'ah plans to overthrow the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles.
