The Guide of Argos

Chapter 15

(This is what IIeo looks like BTW.)

IIeo POV:

IIeo slowly made her way through the dense forest of the Pass between Aeos Gaerd and Ch'ara. She looked at the map she obtained from Ryuga and calculated that they were almost there at the mouth of the Stergon River. She looked at the breathtaking wilderness, the tall, snow-peaked Calay mountains at one side, while the shining azure blue of Lake Aeos stood out in the large forest, mesmerizing her so much that she had to remind herself of her goal. Something was waiting for her at Ch'ara, and not something related to the King. She was there for the Viridescent Staff of Glory, once used by the Silvian Kings of Moonsglow against Ch'ara and said to have mystical powers beyond the comprehension of mortals. She hoped with all her heart that this could be the key to defeating Argos but first, she would have to get through the harsh wilderness past the Stergon, where it is said many mythical creatures lived in the large, dense enchanted forest. The wagon stopped and IIeo looked ahead, realizing that she reached the long Stergon River. The blue water was deep and clear, living up to it's name as, through the flat gravel bed, IIeo saw dozens of Sturgeons migrating south towards the sea.  The sound of the river causes her to feel calm and nostalgic about her home, Raykisho, which is located downstream from where she was standing. After saying her farewells to Eanos, who said that he has to go back to Esteros to help out Ertos, which she responded to by wishing him good luck and waved him off as he went West, out of her sight. With nothing holding her back, IIeo stared ahead, towards the last obstacle between her and the Indestructible City of Ch'ara. She jumped across, her slimmer body allowing her to make the long jump across the river. IIeo ran through the forest quickly, panting as she did so from the work required to do so. She looked back at the other side of the river, her emerald green eyes reflecting in the river water as she reflected on her journey so far. 

Right now, she just want a break after everything that just happened and how far she's travelled. She almost couldn't believe it, travelling from Ravensgrove(where the Academy is) all the way to Esteros and now... the young elf is approaching Ch'ara, the City of Wisdom, as she sees the Palace of Uthcas, the official residence of the royal family. As a kid, she was in awe of the Royals of Ch'ara due to the pristine nature of the family. She could see the statue of IIos, first High King of the Elves, and whom the current family models themselves after and worships. IIeo read all of this when she was a kid. When life was much simpler  IIeo thought sadly, as she picked up a golden maple leaf from the deep earthen ground. IIeo snapped herself back to reality as she thought about the road ahead. It's going to be hard, she knows that. 

She suddenly looked up, seeing a raven, it's head tilting from side to side as it gave a loud caw before perching on the maple tree above IIeo. Seeing the raven brought a smile to IIeo's face, for in Raykisho, ravens are considered symbols of good luck. Suddenly the raven flew onto IIeo's shoulder, shocking IIeo as she slowly started ruffling the raven's feathers like you would for a cat or dog's fur. To her surprise the raven started leaning closer to IIeo. No matter what she did, the raven refused to leave her. IIeo looked at the sky, to realize that it is nearly nighttime. This is troublesome because of Ch'ara's dangerous slums all around the city, where numerous crime gangs constantly fight, with many innocent people caught in the crossfire. Added to that, many thieves, gambling and drug addicts and scammers are plaguing the trash filled streets. IIeo know this to be true because of her best friend Aera from school, who used to live in the slums.

"Aera," IIeo said as she sat down on a ebony chair in her house." Why did you leave Ch'ara. Isn't it the City of Knowledge and stuff?" She pondered as she put her hand on her chin, feeling confused about all of this. Aera gave her a grave look, as IIeo looked away for a few seconds, feeling guilty about asking this question in the first place before Aera sighed and gave IIeo an explanation, staring at IIeo's emerald green eyes with her deep navy blue ones." Not all of what you hear of Ch'ara is true, princess" she said while rolling her eyes. IIeo just sighed and told her best friend" Don't call me that." She said with a serious look on her face. For as much as she is technically royalty, as she is the oldest daughter of the Lord of Moonsglow, she sure dosen't like being refered to as such as Aera just sighed and continued explaining" Right beside the posh streets of Clearwater, you know, where the Alchemist's guild is located, there are several slums, where people like my family live,  those who couldn't afford rent in one of the fancy apartments in downtown.  The crime there was horrific. The authorities didn't even care about these places, not even providing them with essential services and taking care of the people, as murders and robberies happen weekly there. We left because my dad didn't want us to suffer in this hellhole anymore. "IIeo gave her friend a sympathetic glance before comforting her" It's alright now, you're here, not in Ch'ara."

As IIeo thought about that day again, she found that she missed her friends. Vowing to keep going until she fulfilled her promise, she was alerted out of her thoughts by the raven. Suddenly a gust of yellow, orange and red maple leaves appeared, as IIeo cautiously approached the gust. Suddenly, IIeo started floating up higher and higher until she could see the city skyline. The gust carried her lower and lower, until her dragonhide designer shoes touched the ground, arriving at the city gate just in time to see the sun set. Seeing her, the soldiers kotowed, as is the tradition for greeting any royalty. IIeo rolled her eyes before declaring" We don't have any time for this." and headed in the city, unchecked.  With no time to waste, she began searching the large metropolitan city, exploring the blue and white colored limestone and concrete buildings until she found an inn, where she then entered her room. 

Her hood was up to prevent anyone from knowing who she is. She took a look around her surroundings.  A red velvet covered table was in the corner, flanked by several identical chairs. In addition, the table was facing the room's window, giving IIeo a clear view of the city.  Aera she thought, missing her best friend. She shook those feelings off, so she surveyed the room even more, discovering a mini bar filled to the brim with Elvish liquor and some ancient paintings above a spruce table , surrounded on both sides with green and blue terracotta pots, filled with native Ch'aran flora, like the elusive violet rose,  rare orange and yellow highland peonies and moon lilies, which IIeo recognized, as these white and light blue colored flowers grow everywhere in the Central Plains, spanning an enormous distance from Drakyn's Harbor to the north to Moonsglow in the south. IIeo started to think of home again. For as much as she hated her father for forcing her in this position, she missed the bustling, clean markets of Raykisho and the thousands of acres outside the city, where IIeo had fun hunting, as she liked the thrill and feel accomplished when she did it, like her position as a princess dosen't matter. For in Raykisho, commonfolk and nobility alike participate in hunting, as in Raykisho, the old ways still hold, as the settlement is still small enough to have no farms anywhere and people just hunt and gather, just like their ancestors thousands of years ago. She stared out her window for a few moments, trapped in her thoughts, when she suddenly heard a boom in the distance. IIeo quickly ran to the door, opening it quickly as she rushed out of the inn to check out the incident. 

Little did she know however, that a terrible fate awaits her...

A/N: Sorry for the long delay guys, school was pretty rough, especially since I'm in IB and such, but you can expect the next chapter~2 weeks from now. Thanks for your support!