The carriage was moving so fast that it kicked up a tiny dust storm trailing behind it. Sheut, who was controlling the delicate chain reactions responsible for the speed, was also gazing out the windows, watching the patches of vegetation randomly placed over the desert.
As if reading his mind, Adah said, "You must be wondering why there's so much vegetation all over the desert, right?" Seeing that she had his attention, she continued. "Those are oases brought to you by none other than Queen Nandi."
Adah looked over to her friend, who was still snuggled up to Big John. "You see, Nandi has chlorokinesis, and even better, she's connected to the green."
"What does 'connected to the green' mean?" Sheut asked, a flicker of genuine curiosity in his eyes.
"She's one of the only people who can assist with the growth of elder trees, such as the one we found you under," Adah explained. "The green is the life essence of all plants and trees. Because she can manipulate plants, she can also feel their pain or joy. That is how she is so deeply connected to nature. She can practically grow anything anywhere, especially if the basic conditions are met."
Adah's gaze softened as she watched her friend. "These oases were placed for those who wander in the desert and those who get lost. They are a testament to Nandi's power, her compassion, and her love for her people. She doesn't simply just grow the trees and plants; she nurtures them with her own mana, creating a living, breathing network across the desert. It's a silent song of life and hope, sung to the very land itself."
The carriage, a streak of shadow and gold, was a blur of motion across the landscape. Sheut's improvised enhancements proved to be incredibly effective. Not only had they made up for the time lost assisting the caravan, but they had also gained an entire day. The journey, which should have taken them a week, would now be completed in a matter of days. The speed they were traveling at was a testament to the powerful combination of knowledge and raw, elemental power.
The smooth, rhythmic hum of the carriage was the only sound, a gentle contrast to the tumultuous events of the past several hours. But that rhythm was suddenly shattered.
The carriage lurched violently, the magical hum dying with a sudden, final groan. The vehicle skidded to a stop, throwing everyone forward against their plush seats. The hidden mana lines on the walls flickered and died, and the soft, ethereal light was replaced by the harsh, unfiltered glare of the midday sun. The inside of the carriage projected the image of the surrounding area. Showing the reason for the abrupt stop.
Big John was the first to react, his hand instinctively going to the hilt of his weapon, his gaze snapping to the door. Sheut, his posture still relaxed, was no less alert, his eyes narrowed as if sensing something off with the people surrounding the carriage. Adah and Nandi exchanged a look of pure, unadulterated surprise. They had expected to be traveling for hours more.
"What's happening? " Adah whispered, her hand reaching for the Sheut's.
Big John's senses, finely tuned to the spatial world, went into overdrive. He could feel the presence of dozens of trained warriors surrounding the carriage, their mana signatures a tight, disciplined weave. He could tell they weren't just any warriors; they were an elite force from the Kingdom of Radiantia, known for their impeccable discipline and unwavering devotion to their monarch.
Then, a voice from outside cut through the silence. "The Kingdom of Radiantia greets you. We mean you no harm, but we must ask you to disembark and give us an audience, your majesty."
Sheut's eyes flickered with a cold, detached amusement. "The one who spoke admires Adah greatly. Wishing she could be in her place... What's this? The hidden attention to kill the king and Queen. " He murmured, a hint of something bitter in his voice.
Big John placed a reassuring hand on Sheut's shoulder, his expression a mixture of caution and curiosity. "Stay calm," he advised, his voice a low rumble. "They haven't drawn their weapons and nor do they intend to. There's no real threat here. "
As if to prove his point, there was a soft knock on the carriage door. The sound was polite, almost deferential. It was a request, not a command.
"We are here to escort you all back to the kingdom safely," the voice outside continued, its tone unwavering. "Your return means that you've found the missing Sister Adah."
Nandi's eyebrows shot up. "How did they find out so fast?" she mouthed to Adah, a silent question passing between them.
The door opened with a quiet creak, revealing a line of warriors in gleaming, white-and-gold armor. Their stances were relaxed, their hands far from their weapons. There was no hostility, no aggression, only a profound sense of purpose. At their head stood a regal-looking woman with long, silver hair and eyes that shimmered with an inner light. She carried herself not like a general on the battlefield, but like a dignitary at a grand banquet. She gave a slight bow; her eyes fixed on Adah.
Veralie gave a slight bow, her eyes fixed on Adah. "Lady Adah, I am Commander Veralie," she said, her voice a gentle, melodic echo of the one they had just heard. The light-born warrior was the picture of decorum, yet her gaze held a deep, unshakeable respect as she continued. "Sir Brighton has been anticipating your return and is waiting for you in your kingdom. He wishes to speak with you about your supposed kidnapping and or troubles."
Her words were precise, but the underlying message was clear. They were not here to fight, but to verify. The Radiantian army had likely received word of Adah's disappearance and subsequent return, and now, they were here to confirm her safety and get a firsthand account of the events.
Veralie's expression remained calm, yet her eyes, which had initially been fixed on Adah, now flickered to Sheut, then to Big John and General Kar. It was a subtle, almost imperceptible assessment. She was not only gauging Adah's well-being but also the character and intent of her companions.
The air inside the carriage, which had been lightened by the antics and banter, grew heavy with the new, unspoken tension. Sir Brighton, Adah's childhood friend and a high-ranking knight, was a figure of authority in her kingdom. The fact that he was personally involved and had sent a high-ranking commander to intercept them spoke volumes about the seriousness of the situation.
Sheut was the first to exit the carriage, moving with a silent, graceful efficiency that was almost unnerving. He stood next to the steps and, with a subtle gesture, took Adah's right hand to assist her from the carriage. His actions were a silent statement. He was here to support and protect her, no matter the circumstances.
Meanwhile, Queen Nandi had no intention of giving anyone from the Kingdom of Radiantia the time of day. They hadn't addressed her, and she certainly wasn't going to acknowledge them, especially a low-ranking member of a kingdom she held in low regard. Big John, a loyal shadow, stayed inside the carriage with her, his massive frame a silent bulwark of protection and support. They had been dismissed, and so they would act accordingly.