Storm and Aurora walked thought the village towards the indicated building.
As they did so, they received a great deal of attention from the Kitsune.
The younger ones were giving Storm coveted looks and a few who were close to each other were whispering and giggling to each other.
Aurora walked closer to Storm and gave those who's eyes lingered too much on Storm a nasty glare.
The older Kitsune that had already found partners were watching the dragons with a more wary expression.
Dragons rarely visited for social calls, so clearly something important was going to happen.
Something that might disrupt the little piece of paradise they carved out for themselves and their families.
The building itself was built to a scale that allowed creatures of any sizes.
Even Storm and Aurora would easily be able fit through it's doors with room to spare.
On either sides of the path that led to the entrance, were small cobblestone paths that led to a large garden filled with cherry blossem trees and other beautiful plants.
The cobblestone path to the right, led to a large pond filled with a white and orange scaled fish.
The swarmed at the pond's edge where a single Kitsune attendant was throwing flakes of food on the pond's surface.
The gardens seems to stretch around the entire temple and towards the back.
Stationed at the entrance were 2 male human guards with polearms that Storm had never seen before.
It had a long wooden pole and a sharpened steel tip similar to a spear, but the tip was longer, curved and almost resembled the blade of a sword instead of the spears Storm was accustomed to.
What was especially noteworthy was the armor the guards wore. In the human kingdoms, guardsmen often wore armor that consisted of multiple metal rings that were fastened together.
Or in more prosperous cities, full plate mail armor.
This armor however consisted of a chest piece and skirt that was covered in small metallic plates that resembled a dragon's scales.
The scales overlapped each other to further reinforce the armor in a way that was identical to the way Storm's own scales protected his own body.
The one who designed the armor clearly took inspiration from dragons when they created the armor.
Their helm consisted of a large metal dome that protected the tops of their heads. Two strips of scale armor went down each side of their neck and stopped by their shoulders.
They wore a metallic half mask on the left side of their face that resembled the snarling face of a fox.
The double doors opened of their own accord as Storm and Aurora reached them.
Inside was a hall with a single large flight of stairs that led to another set of double doors that most likely led to the audience chamber where the matriarch received guests.
Two large white banners with a black lotus flower hanged from the wall on either sides of the doors.
A guard was stationed underneath each one of the banners.
Several smaller entryways along the sides led into additional rooms in the building.
While the main hall and audience chamber was large enough for Storm and Aurora, the rest of the building was clearly designed for human sized occupants.
As they walked towards the audience chamber doors, a single Kitsune in a white dress that was painted with black lotus flowers stepped out and stood in their path.
She bowed as they stopped in front of her.
"Welcome to the House of The Lotus, Dragons! I am Kira, The Matriarch's Chamberlain!
I must humbly apologize, as I was not made aware of your audience with the Matriarch!"
"We didn't arrange one ahead of time, but we would like to see the Matriarch at the earliest opportunity!
It is a matter of grave importance. " said Storm.
A hint of irritation showed on the Kitsune's face before passing a moment later.
".... I see. Then I must humbly request that you wait while I discuss this with milady and see whether she's willing to meet with you under such 'short notice '."
She bowed before them again before turning around and stepping through the doors.
While he waited, Aurora inspected the armor of one of the guards standing by the doors up close.
"I like your armor!!" She said.
"...."
"Who designed it?!"
The Guard still gave no response and continued to stare ahead of him like a statue.
"Good talk." Said Aurora in response to his lack of reaction.
"...."
The doors opened up again and the Chamberlain stepped out.
"The Matriarch has gracefully agreed to meet with you and is currently waiting within. "
Storm bowed his head in thanks, then stepped over the threshold into the audience chamber.
It was a long hall with a row of columns on either side of a large red carpet that led to a raised platform where a throne was located.
A large glass window located at the back of the room allowed sunlight to flow into the chamber.
The window overlooked the large gardens located around the temple.
Two large white banners with the Kitsune house's emblem hung from the roof on either sides of the throne
As Storm got closer to the throne, he saw the Matriarch sitting on it.
She had a pale complexion much like the rest of the Kitsune and was wearing a bright red dress with golden embroidery made in the form of plants, and animals.
Her snow white hair was neatly tied in a bun at the back of her head. Her nails on her hands were long and claw like and were painted red like blood.
Her 5 tails were visible and she held one close as she combed the hair on it. Her yellow fox eyes studied Storm closely.
Standing beside the throne were four Kitsune on either side. They were dressed in white robes and a curved short sword was tied to either side of their waists.
They had no visible armor and only a simple iron mask shaped like a fox's face that hid their features.
All of them had their tails exposed with 3 tails being the most common. The 2 Kitsune closest to the Matriarch had 4 tails however.
Storm and Aurora stopped at the steps that led to the platform and bowed their heads to the Matriarch.