Indebted

83

Esti, Atticus and everyone else watched as a herd of spirit animals, and their current avatar marched towards them. There were elephants, bears, elk and panthers. Every large animal Esti could ever hope to name and more she could not, marching in a grand procession. That ended with a team of four massive all white Clydesdale horses pulling a golden chariot that glowed like the sun. Carved all over in beautiful scroll-work patterns.

A massive spirit bear had gone to Melody, who seemed to recognize the creature. Everyone had attracted an animal. Though no other pairing had as clear an affinity towards each other as Melody and the massive glowing bear. A giraffe seemed to be waiting beside Nightmother, as everyone except Esti and Atticus mounted the beasts that had come and volunteered to carry them.

Nightmother looked around, smiling as everyone did as they should without needing to be told. The latest reset was suiting Nightmother just fine, she could walk on the mortal plane again. Old magic was returning. She had agency and was greatly enjoying the strength to influence events. Now they were ready to make their way to the errant dragon king and change the course. Nightmother could see the threads of the pattern as the world marched through time. There was a path for everyone to have a happy ending.

Nightmother saw the path, but it was not hers to walk. "Esti do you love Zinnia?" Nightmother asked Esti. Staring her down. Atticus watched Esti met the endless goddess of nightshade and dreams without flinching.

Esti nodded. Het jaw tight as Esti tried to hold herself in control. "Of course I love Zinnia, she's my friend." Esti told Nightmother. Speak truth to a god and a unicorn. Her mother had taught her that, even though seeing either was extremely unlikely at the time the lesson was given.

Nightmother nodded. "Reach for each other, bridge the gap and the spell will break." Esti did as she was told, Atticus by her side. Birch was holding hands with Zinnia on the other side of the magic wall. Esti reached towards her life long friend. Esti could see the barrier, was certain it would be unpleasant to touch it. Forced her hand to keep going even when she was certain it would hurt to touch such a strong spell.

Except, when Esti reached for Zinnia, it was as though the magic of the barrier spell melted. "How?" Esti had felt nothing. Delia made a little yelp sound, and Marisol looked intrigued as she tried to explain what had happened to the barrier spell to Damon and Laurel.

Nightmother smiled, "We met the requirements to pass through; magic, a royal, and someone on the inside welcoming us with no ill intentions on either side. It's really not the best barrier spell, but old and reasonably reliable." Clapping her hands, Nightmother sprung with very little effort onto the back of the giraffe, Zinnia and Birch together mounted what Esti thought was a mammoth.

Atticus was by the golden chariot, offering his hand to help Esti step onto the deck. Joining her as they took the reins together, and the motley procession began marching towards the castle at a fast pace. Closing the distance between the magic barrier and the center of the kingdom quickly.

Esti kept her eyes straight ahead. They would be there sooner than she felt she was ready for. Watching as they passed the dragon statues that used to mark the outer barrier spell of the castle. Esti had followed this exact path as a slave, sold by her own mother. Carried in the back of a trailer meant to transport livestock.

Now she was riding in a chariot that Esti thought would have been more appropriate for Apollo than her. Wearing a gown made of enchanted spider silk from the lost woods, a crown upon her head, a literal god at her back. The Council leading the diplomatic mission on her behalf. Her mate by her side. Her friend, mated, pregnant here with her as they both wanted to do everything they could to save their childhood home. Esti had no idea what she was doing, she just knew she had to try. Was so grateful that Atticus was by her side as she blindly kept putting one foot in front of the other.

Everyone had been expecting the castle to be barren of activity as a best case scenario. No welcome, no people going about their daily lives, or waiting to catch a glimpse of the visiting delegation from The Council. Or that they would be met with soldiers ready to attack to kill on sight as a possible worst case option.

Instead, as the impressive parade of spirit animals finally drew into the front courtyard of the castle, a double line of formally liveried honour guards lined a red carpet from the cobblestone courtyard to the front gate. Horn players trumpeted their arrival. There were floral arrangements, fresh in the urns marking the grand hall entrance. There was even a small crowd of people waiting, waving at them, looking in awe at the mythical spirit animals and current forest guardians.

By the time Esti and Atticus's chariot came to a stop, everyone else had already dismounted, and bid goodbye to the animal that had chosen to bear them across the distance they needed to cross. As soon as Nightmother floated down from her perching seat on the back of the impossibly tall giraffe, all the spirit animals who had been called march back the way they had come, branching apart as they returned to where they were intended to be.

Damon and Laurel lead the delegates, followed by Marzipan, Marisol, Raven, Zinnia and Birch, Dotty, Melody, Delia, then Atticus and Esti. Last, as the highest ranked person Nightmother. The group flanked protectively on either side by the guard of wolves who had run with them here. Elites provided by Raven's pack, and three who had volunteered from Golden Green.

Esti felt panic well up in her as they started to move towards the front door of the castle. The one for nobility, and honoured guests. She hadn't used this door in so long. "You can do this." Atticus whispered in her ear. His reassurance radiating towards her in strong undeniable waves.

Atticus was holding Esti together as she followed the procession into the Castle. The hall was so freshly cleaned Esti could still smell the soaps the maids used. There were fresh flower arrangements in every alcove and all the lights, sconces, and candles were burning bright. The heavy drapes were removed from the windows, letting the bright daylight stream into the hall. Showing the expertly crafted stone walls, carved wood work, and timbers building up the high ceilings.

Esti watched the others ahead of her take in the grandeur of the dragon court when it was showing its best face. A group of scribes offered a formal welcome, offering bread, salt and water as hosts. Invoking the rights of hospitality without the formality being requested. Opal purred in Esti's mind. Pleased that at least some appropriate gestures were so far being made towards them. The scribes all looked nervous, which was to be expected considering the Dragon court had never once accepted any diplomatic envoys.

Formalities out of the way, the lead scribe bid the delegates to please follow him, leading the group through the castle to the throne room. Esti experienced another moment of doubt, just like she had approaching the castle. 

Atticus watched Esti march with elegant steps towards the throne room. Looking every bit as regal and as composed as she had the day he had claimed and mated her. How anyone could have looked at her that day and not seen Esti for all she was, would forever confound Atticus. He loved the woman who walked into danger with her head held high while inside every part of her body and soul were screaming at her to run. He felt all her insecurities and tried to drown them out with his confidence and love for her. He saw her. He could feel her.

Guards wearing the livery of Lord Roddington flung the double doors of the main court chamber open. Revealing Magnus seated on his throne. Bedecked in his own spider silk draped toga and crown. Sat between the two stained glass windows showing the history the Sovran wished to be remembered for all time. A curved table had been set below the throne dias. Two tall, High backed elegantly carved ornate chairs placed at the centre, royal purple cushions on only the taller chairs. Simpler chairs without cushions fanning out on either side.

A perfectly polite and acceptable arrangement for a foreign delegation come to engage in diplomacy. Everyone made their way inside, taking seats one at a time. Esti saw as Magnus finally saw her and Atticus as the crowd in front of them moved to take their seats. It would be impossible to miss the change in the mood in the air. Esti was glad to have the wolves guarding their backs considering the hate filled glare the King had for her.