1-84 A special day
Slowly Jaina opened her eyes to discover she was in Evalynn’s arms. They were in bed with the pillows braced behind Evalynn’s back while she clutched Jaina to her chest. Jaina sighed and nestled into those warm breasts savoring their silky smooth caress.
“Finally awake?” Evalynn asked as Jaina refused to relinquish her comfy place.
“No, I am still asleep,” Jaina replied. “And I will be for hours.”
“We were worried you would sleep all day,” Evalynn said. “Chandice said to leave you be so you could recover.”
“I don’t even remember falling asleep,” Jaina said as she tried to recall the previous night. “It was somewhere after orgasm thirty.”
“Gisley counted forty-seven,” Evalynn said. “All more powerful than the last one.”
Jaina let out a low moan and writhed as she recalled how her body shook in one powerful orgasm after another.
“As much as I would love to cradle you into my breasts all day, we have a wedding to attend,” Evalynn reminded.
Jaina’s eyes went wide as she bolted upright and looked around. “I completely forgot.”
“No surprise, considering how you were put to sleep,” Evalynn laughed. “I am surprised you can remember your name.”
“It’s Carla?” Jaina teased as Evalynn reached up to fondle Jaina’s breasts.
“Oh, sweety,” Jaina cooed as her warm hands messaged her delicate skin. “I want to stay here all day and let you do that, but I don’t want to be late.”
“I doubt Chandice would allow it anyway,” Evalynn said. “She took Gisley and went to the city an hour ago to buy us dresses for the event.”
“Where is Roric?” Jaina asked as she looked around the space.
“He should be outside,” Evalynn said. “He used points to buy a coat with tails that would fit him properly. It’s all blue with big gold buttons and white ruffles.
“Oh, this I have to see,” Jaina laughed and rolled out of bed. She went to the tent flap and threw it open to be blinded by the sun. After a few blinks, she finally saw Roric standing before a small mirror he had hung on a tree. Evalynn hadn't done the outfit justice with her simple description and just seeing it made Jaina have to cover her mouth. It was indeed a very proper and sophisticated suit with ruffles at the collar, cuffs, and feet. His feet were exposed, but he wore white gloves on his hands and long sleeves with gold pins.
“Well, somebody looks snazzy,” Jaina laughed as she sauntered naked to where he was standing.
“Oh, good, you can walk,” Roric teased as she came up to lean on his chest.
“Were you worried you had broken me?” Jaina asked as she cradled his snout and kissed the tip. “I loved that. You should do that again, maybe tonight and every night.”
“You are such a demanding slave,” He joked and took her in his arms. “And I love you.”
“I love you too,” Jaina said and rubbed her head against his muzzle. “Now take me to a fancy wedding and get me drunk.”
“Can a morphic even get drunk?” Roric asked.
“I think so,” Jaina said as she walked a few steps. “Honestly, I’m not sure. We don’t metabolize food the same way a normal person does. We don’t even have blood or a liver.”
“You have a fluid core, right?” Roric asked as Jaina nodded.
“I am essentially a big amoeba with no organs,” Jaina said. “But I can mimic the organs and blood if I want to.”
“I like how you can’t suffer critical strikes from rogues or other classes that can aim for vital areas,” Roric said.
“No organs, nothing to stab,” Jaina said with a shrug. “So when are we leaving?”
“When Chandice gets back with your dresses,” Roric said and swept her up in his arms. “Until then, I might just carry you around.”
“Do you remember making love to me in the grass and leaving me to nap while you hunted?” Jaina asked.
“You say that like it was years ago,” Roric laughed and carried her toward the tent.
“It feels like it sometimes,” Jaina said and closed her eyes. “It was simpler and happier back then.” She took a deep breath and enjoyed her embrace as Roric sat on a log and held her tight. Evalynn joined them, and together they waited for Chandice to return.
Twenty minutes later, Gisley came through the magic doorway wearing a fabulous metallic purple gown. It was sewn with little gemstones and wrapped her shoulders in a ruffle of lace. Her upper arms were bare but she wore gloves that went to her elbows. She even had a pair of matching shoes with a lovely high heel and decorative bow. She bounded across the field excitedly as Chandice came through with bundles in her arms.
“Why am I carrying everything when I am surrounded by slave girls?” Chandice grumbled as she came across the clearing.
“Look at my pretty dress!” Gisley said as her wings came out so she could flutter about in a spiral.
“It is very pretty,” Roric said but raised an eyebrow at Chandice. “But was purple a good choice with her skin color?”
“I tried to tell her that,” Chandice groaned. “But she took one look at it and practically burst into a ball of glittering fire. She loved it so much I had to promise to buy it for her before we did anything else.”
“I got a hat too!” Gisley cried and fluttered to Chandice, who unloaded her bundles into Roric's arms.
“Just give me a second,” Chandice said as she tried to free her arms. She fished around in the bundles for a little hat of purple and black feathers and flowers. A glowing magical butterfly danced on one of the flowers, flapping its wings slowly. Gisley put it on the side of her head just behind an antenna and floated back up for all to see.
“Oh, that hat is pretty,” Jaina said as she started to look over the bundles. “So what did you get us?”
“Leather and chains,” Chandice said as she glared at the two women.
“Oooh, I want to see it,” Jaina said.
“You harlot,” Chandice laughed. “No girlfriend of mine is going to a royal wedding in chains.”
“Well, I am in bondage cuffs,” Jaina reminded and held up a wrist. “You can’t hide these with gloves.”
“People are going to know your slaves,” Chandice said as she reached into the bag. She withdrew a lovely golden gown with a layered corset decorated with diamond patterns. It had bands of woven flowers down the skirt and a fine, delicate lace trim.
“This is for Evalynn,” Chandice said and held the dress up to the elf woman.
Evalynn took the dress and held it over her long supple body smiling at how it made her look.
“It’s beautiful,” Evalynn said and smiled at Chandice. “You make me want to wear clothes.”
“I like you all naked,” Chandice said but drew out another dress that made Evalynn and Jaina gasp. It was red as a rose and cut tight a the waist. The front was stretched by a lace woven with roses that were thin enough to show the skin beneath. It split the front in a wedge to the cups of a thin corset, showing the cleavage in the middle. The very top was ruffled in a low white line that would expose the shoulders. It had loops over her upper arms but bunched at her elbows. It came with lace gloves that matched the transparent line up the center, and a white choker with a red rose at the center. Instead of a hat, she had a silver chain mesh that went over her hair and left a tear-drop-shaped red stone at her forehead.
“Oh, Chandice,” Jaina said as she took the gown in her arms and realized the back was almost completely exposed. “This is beautiful. How much did you pay for this?”
“It was worth it,” Chandice said. “The only annoying part is that now that you have seen it, you can probably mimic it.”
Jaina laughed as her skin turned gray and blurred for a second. In an instant, she was wearing the dress while the actual one was still in her hands. She handed it back to Chandice and spun around, admiring how the gown rolled over her hips like water.
“It really is lovely,” Roric said. “To bad you can’t return it now.”
“Return it?” Chandice balked. “I will add this to my outfit inventory if she doesn't use it.”
“Speaking of which. What did you get yourself?” Roric asked.
Chandice dug into the bags and pulled out a dark blue gown with a blue corset decorated with black lace. It shimmered in the light and had a faint pattern of translucent magical symbols down one side.
“Oh, this that enchanted?” Evalynn asked.
“No, it's just symbols common to warlocks,” Chandice said as she turned the outfit around. “I wanted something to display my class. A lot of players appear to be wearing ceremonial armor.”
“Lots of people were in armor,” Gisley said and bounced in the air. “The city is full of people. There was hardly any room to get down the street.”
“She's right,” Chandice groaned. “And you should see how Gwen decorated it. Flowers everywhere, red carpets on all the main roads, and white doves flying overhead.”
“Don’t forget the bells!” Gisley squealed.
“They are ringing bells?” Jaina asked.
“No,” Chandice said as Gisley danced in a little circle. “There is a pair of magical golden bells floating over the city. You can see them from everywhere.”
“Oh, wedding bells,” Evalynn said. “I bet Heather is happy.”
“I bet she's nervous as can be,” Jaina laughed. “I know she loves Frank, but neither of them likes to be the center of attention.”
“Well, get dressed,” Chandice commanded. “We need to go back and enjoy the festivities.”
“Yay!” Gisley cried and shed a cloud of glitter.
“You know I want to see what happens when she orgasms with her wings out,” Jaina said. “I bet she sprays glitter all over.”
“Oh, ha, now I want to see that too!” Evalynn laughed.
Gisley smiled and kissed two fingers before pulling up her dress with her other hand.
“Don’t you dare!” Chandice shouted and grabbed Gisley from the air by an ankle. “You get that dress wet with fairy goo and I will make you wear a chastity belt the rest of the week!”
“No!” Gisley cried and immediately shook her hand to show the power was faded.
“Why don't the rest of you get dressed, and we will go see what the city looks like,” Roric suggested.
Jaina agreed and helped Evalynn into her dress while Roric helped Chandice. In minutes they were dressed and ready for a long day of celebrations. Roric took the lead, taking them through Heather's magic door and into the funny room just beyond.
Goblins stood around the strange egg that seemed to be causing ice to spread across the floor. They noted that Umtha was not among them, and Gisley asked where she was.
“Heather mentioned something about her coming to the wedding,” Jaina remembered. “She said Umtha needed to be there.”
“Frank and I spoke about it,” Roric said as they went through the second magic door on the other side. “He said they weren't sure if Umtha was a player or an NPC. They want her present to sign the wedding contract as a witness.”
“What good will that do?” Jaina asked.
“It appears that only a player's name will count,” Roric said. “So if her name appears as a valid witness after the wedding, they know for sure she is a player.”
“Goodness, I had no idea they weren’t certain,” Jaina said.
“I assumed she was an NPC,” Evalynn said.
“So did I,” Chandice added as they made their way through Heather’s tower.
“Legeis is sure she is an NPC,” Roric said. “He has spoken to her in goblin many times and says she repeats the same things like an NPC does.”
“So why are they concerned about it?” Evalynn asked.
“Frank said Umtha is doing things an NPC can't do. She is building a goblin kingdom by uniting several tribes under Heather's banner. She is also upgrading and updating her goblins at an alarming rate,” Roric explained.
“Then she has to be a player,” Chandice said as they passed through the kitchen.
“So she talks like an NPC but levels like a player,” Jaina said as she considered the possibilities. “Didn't we see a discussion on Reddit about how NPCs could evolve and advance when exposed to players?”
“We did,” Roric said as they descended the steps. “It suggested that NPC's learned from players and became more like them. It used several examples of players who had NPC wives or husbands and how, after a year or so of constant interaction, they had changed.”
“So maybe she’s just a really advanced NPC?” Jaina posited.
“I guess we will know soon,” Evalynn replied.
“So an NPC can become so lifelike you can’t tell them apart from a player?” Chandice asked.
“King Kevin claimed the Dragon he was friends with was a player,” Evalynn said.
“But you can’t be a dragon as a player,” Chandice argued.
“Everybody knows that, but the rumor is he still insists she was a player to this day,” Evalynn explained. “And somehow, he ended up killing her.”
“That was part of the war with the necromancers,” Roric agreed as they entered the gardens and headed for the portal to Gwen’s city.
“Let’s talk about this later,” Jaina urged. “I want today to be all about enjoying Heather’s wedding.”
They agreed and went through the portal arriving in a system of magical caves. Woody roots hung from the ceiling and vines of glowing blue moss covered the walls. Mushrooms grew in every corner and small motes of glowing pollen drifted in a breeze. A stairway of white marble went up, taking them to the royal gardens of princess Hannah. Here they were greeted by thick belts of colorful flowers, marble statues, and brick walkways. A marvelous fountain decorated the far yard but what caught their attention most was a towering statue in the middle.
“Oh, it's Heather!” Jaina said as her smile spread. There in polished white marble was a naked Heather with a ribbon of fabric flowing from an upraised hand. The ribbon barely hid the woman's nipples and curled around the side of her waist to pull over a cheek. It left nothing to the imagination, and Jaina looked at it longingly until Gisley squealed with delight.
They looked over to see Gisley fluttering after a tiny garden fairy dancing across the nearby flowers.
“Not again!” Chandice cried and ran after her. “Come back here. Bad fairy!”
“I take it that happened earlier,” Evalynn laughed.
“Probably,” Jaina agreed as she admired the statue.
“Look at the bells,” Roric said and pointed skyward to draw their attention.
Jaina looked up and saw two tremendous golden bells tied together by a white ribbon. The display slowly spun in the sky while the sunlight glinted off the magical surface. White doves flew in great clouds while white and red rose petals slowly rained from the sky.
“Wow,” Jaina said as she spun around. Only now did she notice the walls were hung with white ribbons and displays of flowers in the green and cream colors of Gwen's city. Every tree trunk and light pole was wrapped in ribbons of flowers, and the city guard was wearing shining white armor and top hats.
“She had decorated every surface,” Evalynn gasped.
“You haven’t seen anything yet,” Chandice said as she dragged Gisley back.
“Please, I just want to play with it for a little bit!” Gisley pleaded.
“No, you played with it enough earlier. If you give me any more trouble, I will put a leash on you,” Chandice grumbled and turned Gisley over to Roric for safekeeping.
“I just wanted to see it closer,” Gisley pouted as she leaned into Roric.
“I am sure we will find time for you to chase the fairies in the garden,” Roric assured her.
“Poor thing,” Jaina laughed as Chandice straightened her dress and nodded to Roric to lead the way.
Roric went ahead and took them to the arch that was the garden gate. Outside, the city was swarming with people celebrating with thin wands decorated with flowers and silver unicorn heads. All along the streets were vendors with free foods, drinks, and other wares, adding to the air of celebration. In plazas were statues of the couple and massive banners showing their faces. Teams of minstrels played magical songs while hundreds of people danced to the pleasant tunes. Gisley demanded a dance with Roric, and they were forced to stop at the first large plaza to join the festivities.
“She is so excited,” Jaina said as they sat at a free table on the side of the plaza.
“She better be,” Chandice said. “A messenger of Gwen's approached us while we were shopping. They want Gisley to sing at several points during the day.”
“No wonder,” Evalynn said. “I bet she can’t wait to do her thing.”
“She has been a tornado of excitement ever since,” Chandice replied.
“I can’t wait to hear her sing,” Jaina said as she watched the couple dance. “This is going to be a magical day.”
Somewhere in the distance, fireworks went off, filling the sky with flashes. Sweet scents drifted on the air as food vendors handed out treats to all who wanted them. Jaina decided they deserved a drink and went to fetch one for all of them. She returned with something called spiced ruby, which looked like a wine and tasted sweet. It was chilled, almost to the point of ice, and left a crisp feeling on her lips.
When Roric returned with Gisley, they all had a drink and enjoyed the next song, full of harps and violins. Evalynn danced with Gisley next, while Jaina went with Roric. She looked into his eyes and smiled as the man she loved stared back. How had she come to this magical life full of moments of absolute bliss?
Chandice got her turn dancing with Roric, and then they moved on, swept away with the crowds to see what else was available. There were displays of magic, tests of might, and a carriage pulled through the air by a team of winged horses. Many people could fly and the rooftops were nearly as busy as the streets, as tens of thousands crowded in to see Princess Hannah's wedding. They stopped to watch a wonderful display by an ice mage as he created intricate sculptures of Heather out of blue ice. They moved on when a band of dancers and singers floated over on a flying carpet, showering the crowd below with white rose petals.
“I wonder where Rajeen is?” Jaina asked as they held hands to navigate the crowds.
“I am sure we won’t miss her,” Roric laughed. “She will be the one with an army of slave girls.”
“So, will we get to spend some time with the girls?” Evalynn asked.
“Do you have a paw print on your rear?” Roric replied as the three girls smiled. “Then I suspect you will be in your master's harem tonight.”
“Yumm, all those pussies to eat,” Jaina said hungrily as she began to dream about it.
“You are a little slut,” Chandice laughed. “Why is mine not enough to satisfy you?”
“Oh, I love yours,” Jaina said with a wry smile. “But variety is the spice of life, and I want to try every flavor imaginable.”
“Even Heathers?” Gisley teased.
“Especially hers,” Jaina sighed and shook her head. “You know we should probably be careful with that name.”
“I agree,” Roric said as they wound their way down the street. “From now on we only say, Hannah.”
It took them almost two hours to reach the gate to the inner city, where a line of guards stopped them. They were told that only those of special note would be allowed in before the wedding ceremony and asked what their names were. Roric introduced himself, and the man looked down a long roll of paper.
“Oh, yes, a noble friend of the bride and groom,” the man said and stepped aside. “You and your escorts may enter.”
Jaina heard people whispering as they asked questions about who they were. It swept the crowds as people wondered who this man and his bevy of women were. Inside the walls, the streets were still busy but much easier to navigate. They were approached almost immediately by a man in green and cream who said he was an emissary of Queen Gwendallen.
“Lord Roric and escorts, I have come on request of our noble lady,” he said before dipping into a bow. “I have been asked to bring you directly to the castle.”
“Wow, don’t I feel special,” Jaina said as they fell in line and followed the man.
“A direct summons from the queen,” Evalynn said as people from the streets looked on, wondering who they were.
“She probably just wants to ensure we get good seats,” Roric said.
“Oh, don’t you ruin this for us,” Jaina insisted. “You have no idea how girls dream about things like this.”
“I am more than familiar with your dreams,” Roric said. “Why do you think I am playing a gnoll?”
“Ha!” Evalynn cried and nearly fell over. “He made her blush!”
The others looked as Jaina tried to hide her face. They joined Evalynn in the laugh as Jaina swatted the elf’s arm and accused her of wanting to be ravaged by beastmen too.
“I won’t deny it,” Evalynn said before Chandice suggested they keep their minds on the wedding.
They went directly to the castle, where four lines of people went up the steps to checkpoints. Guards were registering all the guests and sending them in. Roric proudly walked up the steps ignoring all the lines as his private escort took them directly inside. Once again, people pointed and whispered, asking who they were and why they were special.
“Admit it, you feel special now,” Jaina insisted as they went through the massive doors.
“Alright, I admit I do feel somewhat special,” Roric relented. “But don’t let it go to your head.”
“This went to my head hours ago,” Jaina said as they passed down a wide hall and through groups of people with crowns and jeweled tiaras on their heads. There were men and women dressed in outfits so fine the girls wondered how much they must have cost. There were gems the size of eggs and magical effects that drew the eye. Many looked at them with pursed lips and stern gazes, but their escort carried them through the halls to an inner chamber.
“Lord Roric and his escorts,” the man announced as they entered a small room with a green throne flanked by towering windows. A woman of absolute regal beauty rose from the throne, her eyes glittering like a storm reflected in a diamond. She wore a gown of green and cream covered in tiny diamonds and fine lace. Her hair was dark as midnight, and she had the pointed ears of an elf maiden. She walked with graceful authority as those around her bowed as her passage.
“Oh, my god,” Jaina gasped. “Is that queen Gwen?”
“I have never met her before,” Roric said nervously as the woman approached them.
“Do we bow or curtsey or something?” Evalynn asked in desperation.
“You bow,” Chandice whispered and instantly plucked the sides of her dress as she dipped in a slight bow. Jaina and the others followed suit as Roric folded an arm behind his back and dipped in supplication.
“So this is the group that my daughter speaks of so highly,” Gwen said as she arrived before them. “Please, stand up, I would like to thank you for helping to bring this day about.”
Roric stood tall and met the woman's powerful gaze before she walked down the line looking at each one in turn. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to do or say, so he remained quiet until she spoke again.
“I want to thank you all for the change you have worked in my daughter. When she started her travels, she was lost and unsure about her future. But then, one day, she came to me changed and ready to embrace not only her life here but also her future husband. She looked at me and called me mother with all the affection and love of a true daughter. When I inquired as to what brought this change of heart, she told me all about you,” she said and looked at Roric. “And the beautiful love of your harem.”
“I am very grateful we were of use to her,” Roric said.
“You have no idea how much you have touched her heart,” Gwen said as she smiled slightly. “And in doing so mine. I finally have the daughter I always wanted, and Hannah is taking her rightful place in the world. So I would like to formally thank you for what you have done.”
“You are most welcome,” Roric said as Gwen smiled even more.
“Oh, don’t reply yet,” she said and snapped her finger. A nearby man walked over with a scroll of paper and unrolled it before reading it aloud with a clear voice for all to hear.
“On this the day of Her Majesty Queen Gwendallen's daughter's wedding, she has hereby decreed that Roric be named noble lord, champion of the realms, and duke of the Queen's domain. Furthermore, he has been granted a fiefdom and the right to rule his court as he sees fit.”
“Ooooooooh!” Gisley began to squeal before Chandice slapped a hand over her mouth.
The man rolled up the paper and handed it to Roric before taking a small medal from a green cushion held up by another man.
“With this badge, you are hereby made champion of the land and protector of its people,” the man said and pinned it to Roric's coat.
Roric looked down at the medal in shock, then met Gwen's gaze as she smiled at him.
“I don’t know what to say,” he said in surprise.
“My daughter has told me about your desire to build a home,” Gwen said. “By making you a member of my court, you will gain many privileges you wouldn't have had otherwise. You will be able to summon my knights to your aid if anyone threatens your forest as they did before. I will also answer your call for support if you should need it.”
“Your majesty, all we did was be ourselves,” Roric insisted. “We weren't trying to persuade her.”
“What you did was open her eyes,” Gwen insisted. “You made her realize she could be happy here if only she would allow herself to be. You have given me a proper daughter, a son-in-law, and a reason to rejoice. I just wanted to show my appreciation for your service even if you didn't know you were rendering it.”
“Thank you,” Roric said and bowed again.
“Now, I have some details to see to,” Gwen said and motioned for the man who escorted them here to approach. “I have met the woman you call Rajeen and her rather attractive harem already. She is waiting for you in the cathedral. Victor here will show you the and get you settled.”
They bowed again and turned to be led from the room in stunned silence. It wasn’t until they were in the hall that Jaina practically tackled him to grab the rolled parchment.
“She really has made you a duke!” Jaina said and held it out for the others to see. “You are part of the nobility.”
“This was never part of our dream,” Roric said.
“Please,” Jaina groaned and rolled her eyes. “This is better. We have a home and a larger family of allies. Think of all the benefits something like this brings. Nobody will dare attack us like they did before or risk starting a war with Gwen.”
“She was rather scary,” Evalynn said and looked back as if afraid the woman might be following them.
“She has a very intense stare,” Chandice agreed. “I swear she was seeing through me when she looked at me.”
“She radiates power,” Roric said as he ran a finger over the medal. “And she isn’t afraid to flex it.”
“Hannah said she was over level one hundred,” Evalynn reminded them. “And Quinny did say she could display very serious levels of power.”
“And all that was somehow stolen when she lost her kingdom heart?” Jaina asked.
“It wasn’t stolen,” Roric said. “It would be better to say it was out of reach.”
“I had to take special classes when I went through the training and told them I intend to play the green warden class,” Evalynn said. “You have several options for how your kingdom heart can manifest. I like to use the statue, but that means the heart has to be anchored to one place, and I have to go to it make changes. But you can also make it a simple crystal that you can carry with you. The danger, of course, is that it can be stolen.”
“But why not just make another one?” Jaina asked.
“Oh, you can destroy a kingdom heart and manifest a new one any time you want, but you reset your kingdom and lose any points not gained by levels,” Evalynn pointed out.
“Oh,” Jaina said as she understood. “Gwen probably has tens of thousands of points invested in this kingdom.”
“I would bet hundreds of thousands,” Roric said. “And she would lose it all if she had to rest her heart.”
“Not to mention all the social points,” Gisley said. “Heather made those sound like the most important ones of all.”
“She must have years of those accrued,” Roric agreed with a nod.
“I bet that's what they wanted,” Chandice said as they turned a corner and went down another hall. “All those rulers she pleaded to for help that wouldn't lift a finger. I bet they were hoping she would get desperate enough to reset her own kingdom and lose all that power.”
“Then she would be easy to bully,” Roric said with a nod. “Even here, politics is a dirty game.”
“Do you think some other king sent those men to steal the heart?” Gisley asked. “Maybe this was all a setup.”
“It could be,” Roric agreed. “But then they only fled as far as the northern swamps. I think Hannah said they were using the stone in some experiments and couldn't leave the boundaries of the kingdom if they wanted to tap its power.”
“Thankfully, Hannah came along and saved the day,” Jaina said. “No wonder Gwen loves her so much.”
They entered a vast hall with dozens of people walking down it to a pair of ornate silver doors. They followed the man until they reached the door and stepped into a glittering cathedral-like building filled with glowing light.
“Oh, wow,” the girls said in unison as they stepped into the vast chamber whose ceiling soared higher than Heather's tower. The walls were made of marble, and towering windows of stained glass. The benches were polished white wood, and a green silk runner ran down the center aisle. Gold and silver were on display everywhere, and statues of unicorns stood in nooks beside pillars of twisted stone made to resemble their horns. Banners of the city hung from golden chains suspended between them, leading up to a crystal altar on a raised platform at the end. Here an arch was made by two unicorns standing on their hind legs, one with a gold horn and the other a silver. The horns crossed just over the altar, where a ray of silver light shone down to light the display.
“This place would cost more to build than our entire forest will,” Evalynn said.
“She has to be fantastically wealthy,” Roric said as he spun around, unable to accept the sheer opulence on display.
“Look at the floor,” Chandice whispered and pointed to where they could see the brickwork. “The tiles are polished silver and white crystal.”
“The power she has at her fingertips is like a goddess,” Jaina said as the man leading them beckoned them forward.
Roric had them join hands and follow, but it wasn't necessary as they walked only a few steps when they spotted a familiar face. The girls saw her before Roric could react, and the grand hall was suddenly filled with a chorus of voices as they all called one name.
“Rajeen!”