Shadow Bands

XIV. New Moon

Kogeer's gates loomed over their heads, bringing awe to the surviving lycans at the ingenuity of the humans. In front of them stood two towering buildings, parallel with each other and lined with narrow windows. Connecting them was a skybridge and heavy metal gates with industrial chains waiting to tug on them, which, as they got closer, were set on tracks. The chains seemed to be connected to a blocky hunk of metal that hummed. Next to them were two guards. Their armor was still polished and smooth, and without their helmets, they seemed young.

Kaelen looked at Lyra, who was staring at his bewildered expression. He watched as a smile crept on her face, her expression somewhat prideful.

Aeris approached the gate ahead of the crowd. A guard walked on the skybridge above and hailed them, but with a slight aggression as he observed the survivors. His helmet did not allow a facial identification or expression. Only the colors of blue and yellow were of any significance. Unlike the other guards, his armor was scuffed with wear and tear.

"I am Aeris Veil," she shouted. "Returning from my diplomatic outing to the Kingdom of Lycra." The words were sour in her mouth.

Aeris held up her seal to the guard. The stare was long before he nodded at the two guards. The new guards struggled at first but eventually pulled the long levers that protruded from the humming blocks of steel. Promptly, the shape of gears began to spin, pulling on the chains and allowing the gate to roll on its tracks, opening Kogeer to them.

Their victory was short-lived as the guard above stopped the lycans before they stepped foot in the kingdom.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Shouted Aeris.

"Unauthorized entry to citizens from a different country," the guard shouted from above. "The gratuitous entry from the outside has been prohibited by executive order."

"Elderlore passed this order?"

The guard's silence made Aeris' question seem rhetorical. Her feet began to pace slowly as her shoulders slouched forward. Lyra approached her, and after weaving through the crowd, Kaelen and his mother followed in her footsteps.

"Aeris," said Lyra. "What's going on?"

But her concern fell on deaf ears as Aeris was lost deep in her thoughts. Lyra watched as she pieced the equation in her head, her eyes brightening like a light bulb.

"I call for an adjustment of the order!"

The guard's helmet pivoted to one of the towers, as if he was getting reassured his next words would be right.

"I'm afraid your request will be denied."

"By whom?" Aeris' words were set in motion like a launched projectile out of a trebuchet. "According to the statute E.1-9864221 ratified by Senator Bathal during the Golden Era of Kogeer, all who seek refuge or solace within these walls, who are allies of Kogeer, are welcome without prejudice or persecution of their, or any, background."

Aeris' chest heaved as she ran a marathon that was the kingdom's code. Her cheeks flushed with red, her eyes focused on the task at hand. Her hands began to ball as the silence drew out her anxiousness. For what it was worth, Lyra stood by her like a stone wall—resolute.

Another guard exited a tower. The color on his armor was the same; however, the patterns were different, more intricate. And his medals were weathered, a testament to the dedication of his duty. His helmet, feathered down the middle, rested at his hip with an arm securing it.

He approached the other guard and looked at the crowd that had gathered beneath him. The sun beamed off his reflective dome of a head. A blue eye paired with a scarred white one, a scar lined across his forehead before it took a sharp turn down his brow and cheekbone. His lips were tightly pursed, as if he had never smiled in his entire life.