Chapter VII - Allegrya

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The meeting point was a barren islet in the middle of the ocean. Azriel had sent his spies to survey the area in advance, and when they had found that there was absolutely nothing on it, no beings or creatures whatsoever, deeming it safe, they had winnowed to it on the day of the meeting.

Rhys had taken Feyre with him, for she her own magic still couldn't withstand that much of a long distance, Azriel following closely behind. When they landed on the islet, it was just as the spies had described: barren, like wet rocks had just jutted out from the ocean, forming a small platform. There were small pools of water with seaweed here and there, tiny crabs and fish caught within. But when they turned around, their gaze landed on the two Syrens who were perched atop a rock; Brianna, and someone they didn't know.

It had looked like they were in the middle of a conversation, for the stranger next to her had his mouth wide open, like he had been talking animately, and Brianna was mid-laughter. When she noticed they had arrived, she tapped the Syren male's shoulder, and then elegantly leaped off the rock they were on, landing on the wet ground in a small splash.

And that's when they took in her outfit, as well as the one that the male bore, who had now joined her side.

Brianna was dressed much differently than what they had ever seen her in before: her hair was tied back in a tight braid, small delicate brown tendrils framing her face, but her clothes made her seem like a warrior. She and the male were clad in dark brown leathers that wrapped around her body, details of feathers woven round her shoulders like spikes, as well as around her hips to behind her on her back, above her tailbone. Straps of leather went around her body like a harness, and they didn't miss the knives and daggers strapped around in it here and there. They also didn't miss the long golden metallic staff that she had strapped across her back, and the strange helmet that she held tucked under her arm.

She and the male were dressed almost like the Illyrians were, though only Azriel wore his leathers today, Rhysand opting for his usual formal tunic, Feyre wearing a similar one, yet more flattering to her body, of a lighter grey hue. But looking at the Syren's outfit, they knew that were no doubt made for flying. The difference was in the design, the woven feathers, the same golden lighting bold pattern that spread across their upper chest and knee-high boots, and that their arms were bare, though they wore matching golden arm cuffs that began at their wrists and stretched up to their forearms.

But on upon their cuffs, the Illyrians recognized the shining gems all too well - siphons. While Brianna's were of a yellow, glistening stone, the male's were of a pale green. Though, unlike Azriel or Cassian, they only had the two on either arms.

"I hope it wasn't too difficult getting here." Brianna said, dipping her head in greeting, the other Syren doing the same.

"Not at all," Rhys replied with a smile, "Though your description of Allegrya doesn't quite ring true."

Brianna let out a small laugh. "This is only a meeting point," she explained, "We've been experiencing some issues with our wards, so unfortunately this is the nearest point to the islands where we can get in."

A word she said caught Feyre's attention. "Wards?" She asked curiously. So that was why Azriel's spies couldn't find the islands; there were wards in place.

"To prevent anyone from winnowing in," Brianna explained, "It's old and tricky magic that I don't really understand. Dorian will do a better job at explaining it than me." Then she turned to the male next to her, pulling him forward slightly, as if he had been shyly hiding behind her despite towering above her by a few heads, "This is Yohann. We'll both be escorting you into Allegrya from here." She waved a hand toward the guests, "Yohann, meet the High Lord and Lady of the Night Court, Rhysand and Feyre. And their spymaster, Azriel."

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