As the Violet One's wings folded, the brunette rider descended from the saddle.
Her stunning armor shone brightly in the sunlight, and a band bearing a flame was tied to her right arm.
She came before the company of Masters and the Saint and bowed. Stunned by the spectacular arrival, Roan and Aether stood like statues, unsure of how to proceed. Flint looked smug.
Noble coughed lightly, reminding the man to keep his expression neutral. She turned to the Saint.
"Lady Syrce, may I present..."
"Aurelia!" Syrce ran forward, forcing the young woman to straighten. "It has been much too long!"
Noble's mouth dropped open. That was not the name she had intended to say at all.
'Why is Syrce calling Helie by the name Aurelia?' Flint's voice filtered into the floating Master's thoughts.
'I...I'm not sure.'
The rescue earlier that day had been made by none other than their final cohort member, Helie. Her timing had been so impeccable that not even Flint could find fault with it. Or, if he had, he was too relieved not to have to fight for his life that he kept the thought to himself.
Noble had asked the missing member of the cohort to remain in the woods while Flint made his apology, both to help restore a better dynamic to the group and to prepare the camp for her entrance.
But now it was Noble and Flint who were the most surprised of everyone.
Helie took the name in stride. She dipped her head.
"I am sorry for the delay, My Lady. I saw these two in distress, and I could not leave them."
"Such a brave woman. Just like my friend, Bel. How fortunate that you and Cyrus came upon them when you did!" Syrce reached out and patted the Violet One.
Like his twin, Milton, Cyrus responded with warmth to the commander while still keeping a watchful eye on the others.
"Cyrus deserves all the credit, I assure you," Helie heaped praise on the bird, "He changed course suddenly, or I never would have found them."
So it hadn't been blind luck that the Violet One and his rider had stumbled on them. Something in the oversized pigeon had alerted him to the presence of the Turquoise one. That was interesting!
"You are a very pretty birdie!" Syrce cooed. "When we build our city, you will get a house just for you." The Saint turned her attention back to Helie. "I must admit I am very surprised to see you. I did not think Lyra would ever be willing to part with you."
Helie held tightly to the pack at her side. It seemed she had been waiting for this question.
"Lady Lyra knew how important the mission was. It took a little convincing, but she realized I was the best person for the job. Shieldbearer Orrin took my place to protect her. His family needs him."
Syrce laughed. "And he would rather die than try to ride one of the Violet Ones. They can smell his fear, and they torture him for it."
Helie winced. "That was a contributing factor."
"You have news of my sisters?" The Saint looked expectantly at the newcomer.
"Lady Lyra is doing well. She sends her love. As for the rest of the news..." From her satchel, Helie pulled a bound set of papers. "I think everything you need to know is in there. She begs you to read the top page before you do anything else."
Helie kept her face neutral, but Noble could feel the unsettled emotions underneath. Something in those communications was bad news.
How could it not be? The world was quite literally falling apart and being absorbed by another Realm!
Chuckling softly, Syrce seemed ignorant of the messenger's pain. "Sweet Lyra, she wants to keep me apprised of everything. Doesn't she know I trust she is doing her job well?"
"It is her diligence that made her stay by the seaside instead of coming to you herself. Lady Lyra misses you terribly and hopes to be reunited soon."
"I miss her too. But she did right to stay where she is. It will only be a little while longer. When this works, she will come, and we will all three be united again."
"That sounds nice, My Lady." A brief look of sadness passed across Helie's face before her formal mask was replaced once more.
The Saint tucked the bundle under one arm and held out her hands again. "Well?"
Helie furrowed her brow. "My lady?"
The mossy-haired woman frowned. "I would like it now, please?"
The messenger looked at the crowd. "I was told to give it to you in private."
"I have no secrets from my men. Lyra doesn't know what we have been through together. I will accept it now without delay."
There was no room to argue with the Saint, so Helie reluctantly complied. From her bag came a second item: a small mahogany box.
"It's all there?" Unlike the papers which she grabbed greedily, Syrce took the package with the utmost care.
"This is what Lady Lyra gave me. I have not opened it and have kept it on my person at all times." Helie lowered her hands to her side.
She had nothing to hide.
"Of course, your work is always immaculate, Aurelia. I have no reason to doubt that it is exactly as you say." Syrce nodded. "You get some rest. I will have someone take care of Cyrus."
The commander turned to order someone to carry out the task, but the crowd of soldiers and servants had inexplicably dispersed. Even Flint, her third in command, was nowhere to be seen. Syrce looked around in confusion.
"Where did everyone go?"
"I will take care of Cyrus and find a place for him. It will not take long." Helie assured the Saint.
"I'll help her," Noble smiled at Helie.
Syrce nodded. "I'll leave you both to it. I have some reading to do."
With her pack of papers and wooden box in hand, she headed off to her wagon.
Helie let her shoulders relax as she looked at Noble.
"That went better than I thought. She doesn't seem nearly as scary as some people at the seaside seemed to think."
"Just don't get on her bad side," Flint appeared from behind a wagon and joined the other Masters. "She makes some pretty wild threats, and we have no reason to think she is kidding."
"You are wise to be cautious…" The brunette gave one final glance at the commander's wagon before lavishing the two remaining Masters with an incandescent smile. "Hello, strangers!"
Roan reached out and took the woman's hand, shaking it firmly.
"We were beginning to worry about you!"
Aether bowed. "It is good to see you. Aurelia, is it?"
"That's what they call me at court, yes." Helie nodded. "What do I call all of you?"
"Roan, Aether, and I have been fortunate enough to insert ourselves into the situation using our normal names. Flint goes by Titus." Noble is explained.
The brunette's eyes opened wide. "Titus? Wait, you're that Titus?"
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Flint crossed his arms.
Looking around, Helie scratched her nose. "Perhaps we should all go take care of Cyrus by the river. We have much to discuss."