The journey from the Sacred Land to the Sundom was uneventful and routine, at least for Aloy: a few encounters with Machines, a short tussle with some thugs (Are these the same bandits that killed the Vanguard messengers? she had wondered), a Strider overridden so she could use it as a mount to expedite the trip. Late in the day, she arrived at Meridian Gate, one of the main entrances to the Sundom. There, she left the Strider to roam free, knowing the presence of a Machine in the lower village would startle and frighten the poor residents living in squalid conditions just inside the great Gate.
As Aloy dismounted the Strider and approached Meridian Gate, two royal guardsmen standing at the Gate snapped to attention, and as she passed them, Aloy just perceived that each muttered something under his breath; she couldn't tell for certain if the mutterings were a greeting, an expression of awe, or an insult, nor did she particularly care, as she'd become accustomed to such mixed receptions from just about every citizen of the beautiful Sundom.
Meridian Gate was a great stone arch carved into a granite hillside, a hill that was sheer on both sides, making the entrance to Meridian Village from any other nearby point treacherous at the least. The guards at the Gate were there more for pomp than for safety, as an attacking horde could easily overpower them in seconds; but the Gate sat at the apex of a hill, and sloping downward, the view was clear for a great distance, so any attempt at an assault by man or Machine would be spotted long before the assailants could reach the Gate, giving the guards ample time to sound an alarm and roust a formidable army in the city's defense. There were other ways to enter the Sundom, from other lower points in the surrounding region, but all of them afforded similar tight access and narrow passages, so that the capital city of Meridian stood as a well-guarded metropolis, protected by its most loyal soldiers.
Just beyond the Gate, Aloy was reminded of the other side of the Sundom, the unpleasant side, as she strode past small tents and leaning cloth shelters that gave little protection to their residents from the occasional rain and wind storms that swept through this area. The tenement dwellers were a surprisingly pleasant bunch, given the challenge of forging a meager living in the outskirts of the great mountain city. Here lived farmers and merchants, traveling salespeople and artists, entertainers, the sick and infirmed, all in a small clearing that cried out for assistance from the Sun-King, for whom these poor people still held a measure of respect. And they showed respect to Aloy, as the stories of her adventures had made it even to this neglected part of the world.
Aloy left the village and crossed a narrow bridge to reach the city of Meridian; more guards snapped to attention and the occasional guard or citizen she encountered exchanged pleasantries. The walk into the mountain-top city of Meridian was breathtaking, made more so by crossing a great stone bridge that provided the final level of separation from outside threats. The end of the bridge began the entrance to the circular city, built to the very edge of the mesa. Another bridge led to the Sun-King's royal palace; this was the checkpoint for anyone wishing to gain consult with the Sun-King or his representatives, and today seemed especially busy, as there was a rather long line of people waiting, hoping to speak with King Avad.
Everyone in the city of Meridian knew Aloy, of course, so the guards at the checkpoint motioned for her to pass into the royal palace. Aloy walked a stone stairway up, then another, and found herself in the open courtyard where King Avad and his courtiers spent most of their waking hours.
A villager – Aloy observed that the man seemed to be quite poor, given the state of his clothing – was speaking with the King, so she waited some distance away, not wanting to interrupt. But it didn't matter: Avad spotted her and immediately dismissed the villager with a wave of his hand. The poor man took a step toward the King, at which point two of the elite Vanguards grasped his arms and began to pull him away from the courtyard.
Aloy was perturbed by what she'd seen, and she decided to let Avad know.
"Hello, Your Highness…" she began, but Avad stopped her.
"My dear Aloy, please, I consider you a trusted friend and ally, you may dispense with the formalities."
"Very well, then… It looked like that man had more to say to you."
Avad glanced behind him, where the villager, still protesting, was just being led out of sight of the courtyard, down a flight of stairs. "Oh, you mean him? Yes, he was concerned about the price he was able to charge for his crops. Apparently there has been a good growing season and he felt he was not getting a fair rate in the markets."
"I don't think he was finished, was he?"
Aloy noticed a hint of annoyance on Avad's face before he returned to his normal form, showing a crack of a smile. "I suppose not, but there isn't much I could do for the fellow. I don't set prices and I can't change what the market will offer."
"But you can check to see if someone in the market is cheating him, can't you? I mean, you can send someone to check." Aloy's concern was genuine: she knew what it was like to be ignored, to get less respect than you deserve. She was not trying to be a champion for farmers in Meridian, or the advocate for one man's right to a fair living, it was just her way: she did not like even a suggestion of injustice.
"Yes, yes, I suppose you're right. One moment, please," Avad answered as he turned his head toward one of the courtiers standing a distance away. The courtier immediately approached the king.
"Will you follow that man and check out his story? If he is not getting a fair treatment, see that it gets corrected, and if he is lying, speak to him about it."
"But, Your Excellency," the man replied, "that's just one person! If we spend our time tracking down every single complaint that is brought to your royal court, we…"
"…Will have a much more satisfied citizenry, isn't that what you wanted to say?"
"As you wish, Your Excellency," the man bowed quickly, turned and ran down the stairs, following the farmer and his royal escort.
Avad turned back to Aloy. "There, you see? Problem solved. Or at least it will be soon."
"That was a fitting gesture, but how many times have you done the right thing? Should it take my visiting you to get you to do it?"
From any other person, even royalty, such a statement would be considered an insult, and there would be dire consequences. But Avad admired Aloy – and she knew he had more than just admiration for her, but she didn't have the time or the interest to pursue anything more with him – so he let the comment go. Aloy sensed, though, that he was not entirely happy with what had just transpired, so she chose to move to the more pressing subject.
"A young boy came to the Sacred Land this morning, delivering a message from you."
"A boy? I don't know anything about a boy delivering anything. I sent two of my most trusted guards to deliver a message, but I didn't send any boy."
"I didn't think so. He arrived alone, he was cold, wet, hungry, thirsty, with almost no clothing and no weapons.
"He said his name was Arman the Younger."
"Arman the Younger? I don't know any – " Avad's face lit up as he realized who she meant.
"There is no 'Arman the Younger'," he explained, "at least, none that I know. But I did dispatch my guards Elond and Arman to see you. I know Arman has a son, about thirteen or fourteen, fair of skin and hair like his father. I don't recall the boy's name, but it isn't Arman the Younger – that name I would remember."
"That's the name the boy gave. He said he was motherless, that he lived with his sister and father – "
"Yes, that's got to be Arman and his children. His wife was injured in the war of the Carja several years ago and succumbed to her wounds just last year, and Arman is raising the children himself."
" – The boy said he overheard his father talking about a message to be delivered to me, but the two guards were attacked first by a ferocious Machine, and then by bandits, and they were too vulnerable to stop the bandits."
"So Arman's son witnessed all of that – presumably including his father's death – and still made it to you, to deliver my message? The lad must be considered a hero! He is almost of the age to join my army; perhaps I can find some soldiers to watch over him until he's ready to join up. I'll arrange for a contingent of soldiers to travel to your Sacred Land and fetch the lad.
"In the meantime," Avad continued, "there is the matter of the message itself. And the reason for it."
"I suspect Arman the Younger – that's a name I think he gave himself after his father's death – wanted to prove himself worthy of your praise. He said that there is a stranger, from the Forbidden West, who is asking to speak to me."
"Yes, that was the message, Aloy! We must figure a better way to get messages to you in the future – I can't afford to lose my best Vanguard, and almost lose a striking young man, in such a senseless manner."
"In this case it wasn't really necessary, as I was thinking of visiting you again soon."
"Yes?..." Avad's eyes lit up at her words; Aloy recognized it as that extra element of interest he'd shown her in the past, first wanting her to consider becoming the Captain of the Vanguard, and later hinting that he had a more personal… romantic… relationship in mind. Aloy didn't really mind, and was a bit flattered to think that a highly respected king would take an interest in her. But there were still too many unanswered questions, too many undiscovered secrets, that tore at her heart, to consider a relationship in the near future. So she had to defuse the situation, and she knew a good way.
"Not for the reason you think," she answered, "I really wanted to visit to see how your new royal palace was shaping up. You know, the one you're building below Meridian so you can live amongst your people?"
Avad looked puzzled at first, but then the realization set in: she was criticizing him, once again, for failing to live up to his promise to be a king for all his people. She could tell that he was composing a careful reply, so she continued, once again changing the subject.
"Besides, I'm still looking for information on the origins of the Machines and my… um, Elisabet Sobeck. And the Old Ones: they had knowledge that we would consider miracles. Knowledge that may be within our reach if we know where to look for it. We can apply the best of that knowledge to rebuild the great dwellings of this land.
"I think our world is really very tiny, from the Banuk villages to the North to the Sacred Land in the East to the Carja and Shadow Carja of the West. I wonder if there is more to be found in the Forbidden West – do you know, when I was a child, I was told that anything beyond the Sacred Lands was forbidden? That would make this the Forbidden West!
"But why is any land forbidden? We have only some arcane writings by the Blazon Healer known as Considerate Udain. Those writings describe a land of deadly deserts and water that goes on forever. But what if those tales are wrong? What if they are made up to frighten us and prevent us from discovering what's really there? Within, or even beyond, the Forbidden West, there may be a great deal to be discovered."
"The Forbidden West!" Avad almost shouted. "The messenger – the man who said he came to see you – he claims to be from a tribe beyond our westward borders."
"What?" Aloy screamed, "then I've got to meet him, now!"
By the time Avad led Aloy to a private room within his palace, the sun had set and the only lights were provided by torches and lamps mounted to the stone walls. This gave a rather gloomy appearance to the entire palace: not overly pleasant or warming. King Avad approached a closed door and rapped loudly on it. Aloy couldn't help but notice the two guards that stood just beyond the light on either side of the doorway, spears in hand – were they to protect the visitor, or to keep him from leaving?
After a moment the door opened; a man whose age Aloy found hard to guess – was he young and weathered, or old and well-kept? – stood before them. Lamps were still aglow in the room, so she suspected the man had not yet been to bed.
"Your Excellency," the man bowed to King Avad. Then he looked at Aloy – and a look of recognition swept over him. "This is her, I mean, this is you, isn't it? Aloy, the Anointed One? Aloy the Machine conqueror?"
"Well, I guess you have the name right, but how about just calling me Aloy? All that other stuff isn't really necessary.
"And might I know your name? And how do you know me?"
"Oh, please, pardon my rudeness. Do come in, both of you! The King and his court have been extremely accommodating since I arrived here just three days ago."
As the two visitors passed into the room, Avad stared at the man.
"Hmmm," Avad remarked, "for a man who was on his deathbed when he arrived, I'd say you've made a remarkable recovery."
"Oh," the man replied, "oh yes, your healers have worked wonders!"
Aloy detected a hint of surprise in the man's response. Her intuition had proven extremely effective in the past, and she felt something was not as it seemed with this man. I think I'd better keep quiet and just listen a while, she thought.
The three of them found chairs in the small but well-appointed room. It was noticeable that Avad chose to take a chair beside Aloy and opposite the stranger. Just as well, she thought; if this man makes a move I've got to be ready to protect the king.
"My name is Levian," the man said once they were seated, "and yes, I was in a very bad way when I arrived. I have recovered from my many wounds."
For a man with "many wounds," none of them shows.
"I was sent here to meet the legendary warrior Aloy, and to invite you to visit our kingdom beyond the Great Hills."
"Kingdom? Of what kingdom do you speak?" Avad asked.
"Why, a kingdom even greater than yours – oh please, I mean no disrespect, Your Highness, but our Holy Land of the Lost Angels is wide and vast and much more advanced than yours. My leader, the wise and holy Pharaoh, wishes to meet the legendary warrior Aloy…"
"As I said, just Aloy, okay? No legends, no warriors, no anointing, just Aloy."
"I'm sorry, I hope I didn't insult you, but it's just that our Pharaoh Sirte wishes to have audience with you, to learn what you know, and to help you learn that which you don't."
Avad looked at Aloy: he knew her well enough to know that she was leery of this man's story, but he also knew her curiosity would win out. So he chose to speak to her directly.
"Aloy, this sounds too much like a trap. We know nothing of a … what was it? .. a Pharaoh, or a mighty kingdom to the West. How did this one man get here? How do they know of you? What do they really want?"
Aloy answered, all the time watching the stranger Levian to see how he reacted.
"I agree, it seems farfetched. And there are a lot of questions we need answering before I do anything."
The stranger interjected. "Please, I understand your worries, and I wish I had proof to give you to lessen them! I was but one of a group of warriors sent through the Secret Path to find you – the others died along the way, as I did I, nearly."
"Secret Path?" Aloy asked.
"Yes, but I've probably said too much already. We are forbidden as a people from even knowing its location, much less using it to leave our homeland. But this just shows how desperately the Pharaoh wants to meet you, that she told us, and we risked our lives to find you.
"Now if we leave immediately, I can take you to the entrance to the Secret Path to return to my homeland of the Lost Angels, and I can answer more of your questions on the way."
Avad spoke sternly. "I will dispatch an escort of heavily armed Vanguards to travel with you and keep you safe," he looked at Aloy, knowing it was she who might need the extra protection, "and to experience this Angels kingdom for themselves."
"No, no," Levian replied, "I'm afraid that cannot be done. I assure you, sire, that I will not harm this woman, and if the legends are true, it's likely that I will need her more than she will need me, to provide safe passage."
Aloy was certain something was up, but she was intrigued and there was no way she would turn this man down.
"I think we should do as he asks," she said to Avad. "You know I'll be alright."
"But my dear, you don't know anything about this new land or what lies beyond the hills to the West. I think an escort is in order, at least for a portion of the way. And I must insist that a royal representative accompany you to meet this… this Pharaoh person."
"Once more, I'm telling you," Levian said, sounding peeved, "that's not possible! No one but Aloy and I – and of course my holy Pharaoh – can know the location of the Secret Path.
"Now let's set off at once!" Levian jumped to his feet, looking far removed from someone who was almost dead just a few days ago.
"Wait, slow down," Aloy stood and waved to the man, "it's the middle of the night. I'm tired. We need to assemble provisions for the trip – I assume it's some distance from here? – and I have a little work to do in the village."
Avad gave a double-glance at Aloy. "What do you mean, "a little work?" Is it anything I can arrange for you?"
"I don't know," she answered. "I'm going to search for a certain farmer and see if your minion carried out your request." Avad formed a scowl. "Not that I don't trust you, but I think your loyal subjects deserve a certain level of service, don't you?"
She knew she'd hit a nerve with Avad, and she saw it as a chance to relight a personal passion of hers. "Not all of your servants are as devoted to the welfare of the people; once you've relocated your palace so you can travel among them, you'll see that these are good, hardworking people who deserve your service. I'd find it difficult to live here knowing we aren't doing the best for our citizens."
That hammered the nerve she was striving to hit: Avad wanted to say something in protest, as his annoyance turned to anger, but Aloy's honesty and genuine concern for others wore off on him, and he realized, if he ever hoped to convince her to accept his invitation – whatever that might entail – for her to move to Meridian, she expected him to be a more dedicated king for all his people.
Aloy decided to end the conversation. "Let's get a good night's sleep; we'll pack early and leave at sunrise. Alright, Levian? Good night to you, and to you, Your Highness." She opened the door and left before either man had the chance to respond.