The Royal Institution had not even fully closed for the day when Rosette and Misty took off. Aeric could be anywhere in the entire realm at this point, but Rosette already had an idea of where he could be and she led her obedient sister there right away.
The light was a bright white shimmer, pouring its spirited glow across the sweeping, endless stretch of the Elysium Plains.
Riding side-by-side atop their formidable beast companions, Rosette and Misty cut an impressive figure as they made their way through the grassy fields.
Rosette, astride her Owlbear, had her usual mannerism of a smileless face, with her sharp eyes focused ahead. Misty rode beside her on her Horsesparrow, her expressions softer, clearly worried and filled with questions that she was too nervous to ask.
The sound of hoofbeats and powerful strides broke the quiet of the plains as they made their way toward a small collection of white painted bungalows with green roofs and small thatched houses nestled in the eastern borders of the Elysium Plains.
Misty cast a sideways glance at Rosette, and finally, she found the courage to ask her question, although her voice remained gentle but curious. "Rosie, why are we here? The plains are quiet... serene. What would Aeric be doing in a place like this?"
Looking back to her sister and sighing, Rosette's gaze returned forward and stayed fixed ahead. "Aeric was wounded badly yesterday if you have forgotten. Celestia took him to a Healer's hut and the closest one to the Institution is here in the Plains. If he was here once, he could return — or perhaps the Healer might know where he was headed."
Misty fell silent, absorbing her sister's words as they pressed forward. "Right. You're so smart, sister. I never would have thought of that."
Rosette didn't react. "That's why I want you to stay by my side always and listen. You could learn a few things, Misty. You could be smart too."
She urged her beast forward and Misty followed after acknowledging her sister's words with a gentle nod.
Before long, they spotted a modest structure surrounded by tall herbs and medicinal plants. It was a Healer's hut. The closest one to the Institution.
"Here," Rosette gestured towards the building. "This must be it."
As they directed their Beasts towards the hut, a few townsfolk lingered nearby, and heads turned as the two sisters approached. Recognizing them through the sigils of the Starlight Region on their expensive cloaks, eyes widened and fingers pointed. Your journey continues on empire
Naturally, word spread quickly, and soon a small crowd had gathered, murmuring and pointing, the awe evident in their faces.
Rosette paid no attention to the whispers. Leading the way, she swung down from her Owlbear with a practiced grace, landing lightly on her feet. Misty dismounted as well, looking more hesitant, her gaze flitting across the onlookers.
"Rosie, this isn't right..." Misty began softly, glancing back at the healer with a sympathetic look. "Perhaps she really doesn't know anything. We shouldn't intrude on her space."
But Rosette was already moving deeper into the hut, checking each corner with a critical eye. She inspected the shelves, lifting a few bottles as though expecting them to hide clues, then moved to the bed, examining it with a detached sort of scrutiny.
Misty sighed, helping the woman up and staying back as Rosette combed the hut in silence.
In the end of it all, there was nothing to find. Aeric wasn't in the hut and there were no clues that pointed to where he was.
"He's not here," Rosette said with clenched teeth.
"I told you he wasn't. We can't just barge in here, this is another Region. Our royalty and power doesn't extend here, we could be in trouble for this, Rosie!" Misty admonished, though doing her best not to sound combative.
She then turned to Edna. "We are so sorry, miss."
"It is fine. The Son's life is of great importance to the realm and Mother Guinevere. I understand Daughter Rosette's frustration."
Rosette looked at the woman with an emotionless glare. "If he does return, you'll inform us immediately, won't you?"
Edna nodded, her eyes still wary. "Of course, I will."
Without another word, Rosette and Misty began to stride out of the hut, but then Edna stopped them.
"Can you do the same for me, Daughters?" she asked, her head down, arm clutching the other as her cheeks turned red.
Rosette and Misty looked at her, confused. "Do what?"
"Can you..." her cheeks flushed even more, "...let me know if he returns?"
"What?"