Chapter 212 - Bk 2 (8)

A lone small figure stood at the edge of a board work staring out into a vast endless lotus pond. The stale air swept up her loose snow white hair, then sweeping past her to the guards cad in black behind her. Soon, a blond young man broke through the line of guards and approached her without resistance. His form completely clad in grey, covered not too heavily, but just enough to block out the dry cold air. Her stopped behind her and bowed ninety degrees, "My lady." he greeted.

"Have they returned?" the lady asked, her eyes never leaving the view of lotuses.

"Yes, this is the report of their findings." he took out a document from his coat.

"Read it to me." she said and his hand froze midway. He gazed at her form for a second, then did as she asked.

"My lady, the Red hands are as they have been, one knows not if they have changed much the past centuries, when it comes to their beliefs. They have grown into a power with many kingdoms at its grasp. The black realm is locked. They are declared neutral and refuse entrance to all expect their own. The Khlajetii have ordered their descendants all return. The white lands have sent representatives to the eight god's tree." After he finished reading, silence returned to the board walk.

"Have you ever seen this kind of lotuses before, Walter?" she asked.

"No, my lady." Walter answered.

"It's the windy quarter... oh they call it autumn here, yet they are only now preparing to bloom. By the time all of them bloom it will be the thick of the white cold..No, winter is it? How does one enjoy it if one has to walk miles in hill like snow to see it? They call it winter lotus, the rarest kind of lotus in the light realm, the most beautiful too. But, what is its use when it can tortures people with its beauty?" she asked.

"I lack the skill for gardening, my lady, and even more, the grace to enjoy it." Walter answered.

"I too, in this regard. Yet here I am staring without the ability to look away. When it blooms, its stalk stuck in the frozen pond and its petals clear like glass yet hotter than the mouth of mount Jurr on a bad day, one would not be able to look away. It is a kind of sorcery. I have been charmed, Walter. But like you I lack the eye for such rarity, so I stick to the common." she finally looked away from the view, turning around to gaze up at Walter.

"There is more, my lady. Those sent to the white lands were all killed, but they managed to send a message back. 'no blonds are allowed into the white lands', was all it said." At his words, she chuckled.

"No matter how beautiful the winter lotus blooms are, it has no audience. After all, who asked it to grow at such deadly surroundings? My name becomes my obstacle." she said and walked past Walter. Walter followed her to walk off the board walk and stepped onto the grass. She passed by the guards and entered her carriage. They rode quite a while till they reached a castle at the top of a hill. They were welcomed by the guards there. One look and one could tell they were not her guards. Still, they gave way for her carriage to enter the courtyard. She got off, completely veiled in soft blue. Curious workers glanced at her form secretly. Behind her were Shilla and two maids. Behind them was a completely veiled Helen grasping tight to Walter's arm. They were accompanied by rows of guards with a trembling Mr Jodanham.

The lady led them towards the entrance of the castle, where couple awaited them with what seemed like their council. Their skin was smooth and dark, their hair, as thick as sponge, with the man's plaited away, while the woman left hers a stiff and massive umbrella around her face. They were dressed in colourful attires similar to every other person in their territory, except the woman who was in an intricate lace, an indication of their position. Shilla saw the lady motion to her and she stepped forward with another maid and unveiled her. The hosts were immediately drawn to her white hair and slightly tensed. They did not bow, and she did not expect them to.

"Lucy Sharterux of Wickshire, while many expect that you are in the lower realms belt, you stand here at the Crack, few steps away from the higher realms. I am Ndaga Nnung. I welcome you."