The Path of Dawn
The woman looked to Amras, who made a seemingly vague gesture with his hand that left her eyes wide and seeking between the two foreign women. Those accompanying her were waved ahead, and their procession quickly proceeded on. She inclined her head. "You and your horned companion are owed a great deal for your assistance by the people of Endien."
Amras mouthed the word 'city?', but was hushed by the woman. With an almost mischievous smile on her face she turned to point further down the path. "You will be quite welcomed once you arrive at our... city."
Sage tilted her head, peeking out to scrutinize the elves suspiciously, before planting herself back between Thorra's arm and the rest of her body with a huff.
Which became a squawk of disapproval when the red headed elven woman leaned up and kissed the demigoddess on the cheek. "Perhaps we shall meet again!" She took off without giving Thorra a chance to respond to catch up with her forces. Amras gaped at the sight, then schooled his features and inclined his head as well.
"Shall we move on?"
The Kingdom of Endien
There was another wall at the end of the pass, as pristine and magnificent as the last, only this time the enormous gates were open. Amras waved them passed the guards with news of their victory, and their visitors, and they were permitted passage. The pass through the great bastion was like a massive tunnel unto itself, and ended in a cool and soothing glow that grew brighter on approach. Sage seemed to relax by Thorra's side as they walked closer, and by the end was all but pulling the demigoddess along with her arms and batting at her back with her tail.
Amras kept himself ramrod straight and facing forward the entire time, until they finally exited the bastion. Then, he turned around and held his arms out to his sides as if to present what lay before them. "Welcome, to the Land of Forever Fall!"
They were atop a great hill, looking out across a vast and verdant sea of reds and oranges waving in the winds. Spires of white and gold rose up from lands far below, gleaming in the light of the dawn. A dim symphony of melodies rose, one by one, carried on the winds from the settlements and manors Thorra's keen eyes could see from afar. Great flocks of birds spread across clear daybreak skies and added their songs to the welcoming chorus. At the center was the city she'd imagined before, with a great tower reaching up to the sky and shining with the wonders of sorcery.
And then Amras stepped aside, and revealed too the field hospital of white canvas that had overtaken the land just slightly further down the hill in the bastion's looming shadow. There were a great many elves, their long hair and pointed ears of varying lengths presented largely without anything to cover them now, and they were hard at work tending to the wounded of the previous battle. Many worked with their hands, with wet rags and scented herbs in hand, while others strummed instruments and sang gentle songs of hope that lifted Thorra's heart.
Sage let out a soft rumbling sound at her side, and whispered. "That was what those ... stretchers, were for?"
One song in particular stood out from the closest tent, resonating deeply within the divine hammer's heart. Armored soldiers with long two-handed swords stood guard outside, and they held those weapons at the ready as the two unfamiliar figures approached. "Hold, strangers! None may enter-"
Amras lifted a hand as if to explain "The battle has ended, noble Swords of Saiwa, with the aid of these two travelers. We shall not tarry long"
Then the mesmerizing melody faded and a gentle voice which left Amras wide eyed and speechless carried freely beyond the canvas. "Then please, see them in." The two soldiers with swords turned to look at one another, and then lowered their blades. "As she wishes."
Within was figure in a concealing cloak, with a hood over her head, who was kneeling between a pair of wounded and weary warriors with her hands hovering over them.
