The giant bird landed on the pier. Next to it was a busy market street. They could see a shimmering palace in the distance, its white stone towers overlooking the sea. 

Nessia turned back into her nymph form in a swirling cloud of mist. 

“Thanks, Ness,” Ash chimed as she dusted herself off. 

The nymph reflexively jerked back, flustered. “W-Who allowed you to address me so casually?”  

“I just think it sounds cool, Ness,” she repeated, amused. 

Her acolyte stomped her foot. “Stop this instant, scoundrel! It’s Nessia!”

The pair stopped bickering when they saw a crowd of people approaching. A group of eye-catching women came to greet them. Ash noticed the flower tattoos on the back of their hands, the same as her companion’s. They were wearing similar dresses and tunics as well, only in different colors. 

Ash leaned sideways towards Nessia. “Some colleagues of yours?”

“Do not embarrass me,” she commanded in a hushed tone, before welcoming the incoming party with a stretched smile that didn’t reach her eyes. 

The other nymphs of House Teshbi surrounded the pair and began bombarding  Nessia with questions. She puffed out her chest and cleared her throat. She told them how she went to the world called Earth, managed to find the Chosen One, and brought her safely to Kengir. Her peers stood in amazement and praised her bravery and strength. 

Ash rolled her eyes. The nymphs were particularly good-looking but she had to admit that Nessia's beauty was above the pack. She couldn't help but feel slightly pleased that she had been traveling with the prettiest of them. 

Despite her awful personality. 

As opposed to Nessia, the other nymphs were surprisingly nice to her. Some of them were cheeky and a couple of them even flirted with her. 

Nessia was annoyed by her peers’ opportunistic behavior. And seeing her half-witted companion falling for it and flirting back irritated her all the more. However, she couldn't disparage her in public, this would look bad on her House. She did disapprove strongly of this human being picked as the Chosen One but she couldn't fail her goddess. 

Nessia pulled Ash by the arm and whispered in her ear, “They’re only acting like this because you’re the attraction of the day. So, don’t get too cocky.”

“Says the one who conveniently omitted the part where we took the wrong portal, got chased by dire wolves, and almost got stuck in a dank cave,” she listed. 

As they walked across the docks, Ash noted that the atmosphere here contrasted starkly with everything she had seen in this world so far. 

She stopped to smell the sea breeze and looked toward the sea. Seagulls were flying high. Fishermen were pulling their nets out of the clear water and gathering the catch of the day in their small boats. Children were laughing and running on the white sandy beach with kites. Elderly people watched them with warm smiles on their faces.

It’s so peaceful here.

She saw Nessia further ahead, looking at her, hand on her hip and tapping her foot on the ground. Ash caught up to her and followed, staying close behind, but most of her attention was on the town around her.

They were now walking down a lively market street. There were stalls on each side of the cobblestone street, selling bread, vegetables, fish, meat, clothes, and various utensils. Despite the heavy foot traffic, she could still hear the waves brushing the shores over the low humming emanating from the artery. 

The nymph pointed at the marble roof of a temple up ahead. “This is Teshbi’s Shrine. This is where we’re headed.”

On the way, on-lookers stopped what they were doing to observe them with either curiosity, utter shock, or beaming faces, talking to one another, and pointing in their direction. 

Ash gave them an unnatural smile, not really enjoying the attention. 

Then, amidst the crowd, she spotted a mysterious hooded woman wearing a jet-black cloak. She couldn't see her face clearly but she noticed that the woman was staring at her, lips curled up. Ash slowed down and stared back. For a few seconds, their eyes met. 

Her attention was pulled away when two messengers came to meet them. 

“Greetings, esteemed Nymph of House Teshbi, honorable Chosen One. We are here to escort you to the royal palace. Her Majesty the Queen would like to meet with you.”

“My orders are to take the Chosen One to see Teshbi first,” Nessia protested. 

“We must insist. It is also the wish of the goddess to make sure our illustrious guest is well catered-for, rested, and in good disposition before they meet.”

Nessia reluctantly conceded and they both followed the messengers down the larger road leading south. 

As they left, Ash looked back at the spot where the hooded woman had been standing. She was gone.