Chapter 27: Entering Claude
As we approached Claude, capital city of the human kingdom Leganda, the biggest kingdom on the new land, we saw a lot of soldiers standing outside the gate. It looked like a platoon of soldiers was watching over the line of travelers.
Sam: *speaking to a merchant travelling behind them*
“Is it normal for soldiers to stand outside the walls like that?”
Merchant:
“No, that’s not happened any other time I’ve been here.”
---
Sam’s view
Soldier:
“Halt! She’s the one!”
With that command, the soldiers lowered their spears and encircled Ariel while pushing all other travellers away. Having noticed their hostility before Ariel did, I slipped away to avoid getting in her way. The soldiers would be no threat to her, but they might be a threat to me, and I didn’t want to trouble her.
Soldier:
“You can’t hide from the Fenix Order, Monster! Kill that beast!”
Sam: *speaking to the same merchant again*
“Do you understand any of what’s going on?”
Merchant:
“Not a clue, shouldn’t you know more? You’re her servant, aren’t you? Did your lady or her family anger the Fenix Church?”
Sam:
“Not to my knowledge. I can’t claim to be well informed about such matters though.”
What happened next caught me by surprise. Ariel’s backpack opened up, and out flew what must’ve been over a hundred beautiful emerald green beetles. They spread out and landed on each soldier, then began making a wondrous tranquil tune. It sounded like nothing I’d expect from a beetle, more like a wordless lullaby.
Waking from a daze, I realized that the soldiers were all now sleeping and the beetles had stopped singing, and begun flying back into Ariel’s backpack.
A strange lady jumped down from the wall… Despite my lack of skill at field perception, it was obvious to me that she was a very powerful monster.
Lady:
“Well that was boring. I didn’t think you’d be so well prepared for that. You couldn’t have possibly anticipated this.”
Ariel:
“I apologize if I’ve caused you trouble. If you wish me to leave, I will.”
Lady:
“Oh no, not at all. I’m here on behalf of Fenix to welcome you into our city, Ariel, daughter of Dina.”
Ariel:
“Dina? Mother said she had no name.”
Lady:
“Oh, did she? Probably trying to keep you out of our political games. A foolish gesture if you come here. Politics is far too fun not to drag you in. Welcome, and good luck.”
With a dangerous looking smile, she walked back into the city.
Merchant:
“You serve the daughter of Dina? The holy spirit of the west?”
Sam:
“I didn’t know.”
So much for entering the city quietly.
---
Fenix Order Leader’s view
What the fuck was that?! First the high priest tells us there’s a monster in disguise approaching our dear city, then after we confront her and lose face, she says to treat them as an honored guest. Daughter of Dina? Why call her a monster? That damned Facile and her games. I’ll never understand why Fenix chose her.
---
After entering the city.
Sam:
“What were those singing beatles?”
Ariel:
“A bunch of tiny clones with a simple program. They fly to and land on hostiles, then put them to sleep with a lullaby song. The song is only effective at very short range.”
Sam:
“It still dazed me.”
Ariel:
“Really? I guess it still does something at range even if it can’t make people sleep.”
