When they broke through the tree-line, the nocten could see Stelloise immediately. It was still far away, but its palace was meant as a beacon to guide the meadow elves home and was built with a tall tower. From so far away, it was only a blob on a distant hill, but it made Decian’s stomach twist nonetheless. The prairies around him and his king were wide open. He had never before seen so much sky at once. It was beautiful, but left him uneasy, and the brightness of it all gave him a headache. He knew what to expect in the deep wood. He knew how to fight, and where to hide those he was protecting.

He knew nothing of being out in the open.

He patted Krenn’s neck to comfort her as they rode. This was her first trip out of the deep wood, too, after all.

He only wished that he had someone to comfort him, like that…

It was half a day’s ride before they were approaching the gates of the city. The towers of the palace seemed much larger and more imposing from this close, as well. Decian could see the gates, they were darker than the rest of the walls of the city, as well as what looked like people milling about outside. But four of the people-sized shapes were standing still, two of them much shorter than the rest. He cursed his eyes, too used to the proximity in the deep wood to see clearly any farther than a few paces.

“I believe those are humans who’ve just arrived, the royals must be greeting them.” Brabil said. His eyes were more used to the light, and seeing things from a distance. “Be polite.” He added.

“Of course, my king.” Decian smiled slightly over at him. He steeled himself to meet the elves, to finally discover if all he’s heard had been true. He hoped it wouldn’t be. More than that, he hoped Deme’s words would ring false, and he could go home soon…

“Shall we make a grand entrance?” Brabil asked with a mischievous grin that Decian couldn’t help but return.

“I will follow your lead.” Decian laughed and watched Brabil nudge his mount into a sprint.

The human king and his accompanying soldier turned back to see what had deepened the scowls of the elves and were surprised to see the nocten standing upright on their mounts, as if on stable flooring. They were also rather afraid of the black beasts with glowing amber eyes that were charging toward them- and showing no sign of slowing. When they were nearly to the gates, the nocten put their hands together, and then apart to reveal glowing balls of green magic. The light cast their faces in an eerie glow, and the soldier shivered. He’d never seen a nocten, before… Then, as if long rehearsed, just before it would be too late and the panthers would crash into the royals and their guests, the nocten leapt gracefully off the backs of their mounts, casting the spells on the panthers, who fizzled into thin air, their riders slowing to a stop on their own feet. The human king looked like he was about to make a mess of his pants, but his accompanying soldier was grinning, wide-eyed.

Brabil was beaming, and both nocten were equally breathless. Decian was mostly thankful he hadn’t tripped as he dismounted. The exhilaration from their entrance kept an easy smile on his face. The elven royals, contempt written all over their expressions, pushed past the humans to stand face to face with the new arrivals. Decian looked to the elven king and prince…? Princess? he couldn’t tell.

The royals were of the same height and bright green eyes, but Decian could see no other similarities. He wasn’t even certain whether the person standing next to the king was a woman or a man, with their long red hair that fell in waves to their waist, and skin covered in freckles. Their shoulders were slender and bare above their pale blue shirt. The king’s were broad and covered, his features sharper, and his hair was a dull brown. They both had three gems in their foreheads, to match their eyes. The elven permanent crowns, Decian could remember Brabil telling him about them. And scoffing. Brabil, of course, carried great distaste for crowns, and other symbols of status… Regardless, the elves were far from the friendliest looking duo, but Decian clung on to his hope that they might be nicer than in tales.

One thing intrigued Decian about the younger royal, however. As a nocten soldier, Decian had been granted the ability to see and interact with magic. And he had no doubt that the shimmery light about the red-haired elf’s face was a glamour. Why would they alter their appearance? It made Decian uncomfortable, trying to think of what they were hiding. He didn’t have long to contemplate before the elven king spoke.

“King Brabil, welcome. I see you have come without a crown again, do not worry, one will be—”

Brabil interrupted him, grinning wider, “Ah! In fact…” He pulled his long, curly hair away from his neck to reveal a little tattoo of a crown, “I have my crown. This way I can never forget it.” He smirked over at the elven king. Decian noticed a vein in the king’s forehead bulging and had to supress a chuckle. Behind the elves, the human soldier laughed, but covered his mouth and looked away.

“Very well…” The elven king spoke through gritted teeth. “Who is this?” His voice was deep and tense, and Decian suddenly had to work to keep the smile on his face when his green eyes focused on him.

“This is Decian, my best soldier. Decian, meet King Duraine and Prince Isgellian of Stelloise.” Brabil introduced him, and Decian bowed to the king.

“Welcome to Stelloise.” The king’s smile was tight and false.

“Thank you.” Decian nodded, and turned to Isgellian, whose neutral expression was beginning to turn sour. The nocten extended a hand to the elven prince. “A pleasure to meet you.”

He watched as Isgellian’s eyes flicked down to his hand, then back up to his face. Slowly, the prince crossed his arms, and poorly hid a roll of his eyes. Decian pulled his hand back, and clenched it in a fist at his side. If the conduct of the royals was any indication of the race, things seemed dire. Decian’s smile finally fell. The nocten soldier who had seemed accommodating suddenly appeared serious and threatening. It was only then that Prince Isgellian swallowed thickly and took the smallest step back from the broad-shouldered soldier with grey skin and haunting red eyes.

Brabil turned to the humans and grinned at the king. “King Edward, how wonderful to see you again.”

“Still as inclined to dramatics, I see.” King Edward laughed nervously but shook his hand. “This is my strongest soldier, Ridley.” He introduced as Ridley bowed. Ridley, who very nearly came up to Decian’s shoulders, extended a hand toward Decian, smiling softly. Decian was relieved to see a friendly face, but his mood had already turned.

“A pleasure to meet you, Ridley.” Decian said. Brabil’s smile dipped at Decian’s curt tone.

“And you, Decian.” Ridley grinned widely. He wasn’t as pretty as the elves, his face was rather square and his nose was crooked, but his hair was blond and his eyes were blue, which Decian found strange to see in a human man. Usually, it was the elves who had such fair colouring. And yet… He glanced over to Isgellian, who was watching the two. If it weren’t for his lack of fair features, and his height, Decian might have thought Ridley a more believable elf.

“Well, if our introductions are complete, shall we carry on to the palace? You two, of course, will need to call your mounts back.” Isgellian’s lips curved up in a brief smirk as his father spoke.

“Of course.” Brabil and Decian hurried to summon their panthers as the others mounted the horses that had been waiting nearby. Once they had, Brabil muttered an apology to his panther before glancing up at Decian, and chuckling. “It was fun, though, right?” He whispered to his soldier as they rode through the gates that had been opened for them. Decian couldn’t hold back the soft laugh that bubbled out from his lips.

The city streets were busy with vendors and countless elven passersby, but it was much quieter than Decian had imagined. Perhaps it was because all the elves in the streets they rode had stopped to stare at him and his king as they passed. Decian stroked Krenn’s neck as she stared around her at all the people, and all the colours. He pulled his father’s cloak tighter to him. He’d expected it to resurface memories he’d wanted to forget, but instead it was the happy ones that came to mind. They comforted him. They rode slowly through the city, which was mostly grey and brown close to the outer walls. But as they passed through the gates between the districts, it became cleaner, and the colours grew brighter. Greens, then blues and reds and yellows snuck their way in as painted doors, banners, or clothes hung out to dry. Ahead, the palace of Stelloise seemed to grow taller as they grew nearer. The outside of it was painted in white and gold, bright and pleasant, but ever so foreign to the nocten from the deep dark wood. Deme’s premonition came to mind. Your journey will be longer than expected.

He prayed that for however long he would be kept from home, he would not be in there.