Naseria was disoriented, lost in unfamiliar streets as she wandered aimlessly. Spotting a woman walking alone, she straightened her clothes and took a deep breath, trying to gather herself.
"Hello, good evening," Naseria said, her voice a little uncertain.
The woman turned, glancing at her with curiosity. Naseria gave a nervous salute. "I’m a newly assigned Kora, and I seem to have lost my way to the castle. By any chance, do you know where I should go?"
The woman smiled kindly. "You mean the Casca?" Naseria blinked, surprised but quickly nodded. "I’ll lead you there."
"Thank you, miss," Naseria replied gratefully.
"My name is Elysia," the woman introduced herself warmly.
"I’m Aelith," Naseria said, offering the alias with a slight smile, and they shook hands.
Elysia looked at her closely. "Are you alright? You’re trembling, and you look pale. Are you cold? Do you need anything?"
Naseria hesitated for a moment before answering. "I’ve been walking for a while, trying to find the way. I was mugged earlier… Do you happen to have anything to drink or eat?"
Without hesitation, Elysia reached into her basket and pulled out a piece of bread, handing it to Naseria. Naseria took it gratefully, a smile breaking across her face. "Thank you, Elysia." She tore a small piece from the bread and handed it to Stark, who meowed appreciatively.
"Who is this fella?" Elysia asked, noticing the small creature by Naseria’s side.
"It’s my cat, Stark," Naseria replied, watching as Elysia nodded, seemingly intrigued by her unusual travel companion.
They continued walking toward the port in silence, the evening air cool against their skin. As they neared the dock, Elysia suddenly stopped and handed Naseria a regal seal. Naseria gasped in surprise, immediately lowering her head in respect.
"I’m sorry for the inconvenience, Miss Elysia," Naseria said, realizing the significance of the seal.
"Please, don’t be," Elysia smiled warmly. "I’m happy to help. Kora and the soldiers deserve all the respect for the hard work they do."
Naseria bowed deeply. "Thank you."
Elysia shook her head lightly. "No, thank you—for keeping us safe."
"You should go and report to your seniors now," Elysia advised gently.
"You're not coming?" Naseria asked, surprised.
Elysia smiled, shaking her head. "Nope, I’m just here for the fun. I love being outside, enjoying the atmosphere."
Naseria bowed once again, thanking her sincerely. As she stepped onto the boat, she turned back, bowing one final time to Elysia, who simply waved with a smile, watching her as the boat pulled away into the distance.
As the ferry approached the castle, Naseria was struck by the sheer beauty of the structure. The castle was a masterpiece, surrounded by a sprawling garden filled with intricate designs. Small mazes of neatly trimmed hedges lined the grounds, interspersed with trees, flowers, and elegant statues that added to the grandeur.
Despite the serene beauty, Naseria couldn’t help but notice the heavy presence of guards patrolling the garden. The castle was meticulously guarded, a fortress within a paradise. As she disembarked the ferry, her heart pounded in her chest.
Naseria took a deep breath, blending in with the people around her, keeping her posture relaxed as she moved through the crowds. She was hyper-aware, observing the area and looking for a safe place to gather her bearings.
