Homecoming

The landing site was outside of the city, the island continent itself was a massive chunk of land that would take around a month to traverse from one end to the other on foot. Only the greatest kingdoms and empires occupied such large foundations. Once on the island and in the interior it was easy to forget that the whole thing floated in the sky. Windy found herself impressed, Hex was bitter about the whole situation and the prospect of seeing just how spoiled a life the princess had led. It seemed she kept fluctuating between respecting the Hexling to loathing her background. Hex didn't put much thought into it; that was just the way things were.

"Is that another part of Meir Valan?" Windy asked as she looked to the north of their current position. On a ridge she could see the tops of towers, the design looked different from what she could see of Meir Valan above its wall.
"That is Hawk Ridge; we are near the border between Garda and Orriden. King Faolan Young rules the country of Orriden and Hawk Ridge is his capital city. Our countries have been allies since their founding. I was almost married to Faolan until Kaelin made his request. I terrorized Faolan when we were children and he was reluctant to accept the offer my father made. I am glad, I prefer Kaelin." Seraphina still smiled fondly at the thought. Windy wondered what the princess meant by terrorized but would ask about it sometime later.
"You never mentioned the possibility of marrying King Faolan," Meilyr said in surprise. Anicetus had never mentioned it now that the Fizzling thought about it and Anicetus told him everything.
"It was talked about, no formal actions taken," Seraphina shrugged. "It is in the past and no harm done by my accepting the request of another."
"Is every part of your life planned out for you?" Hex asked. She wasn't sure why she cared about the prospect of arranged marriage but part of her wanted to know if the price for being royalty was limited freedom across the board. The Core drifted up closer to Seraphina and left Meilyr behind with Windy.

Seraphina glided ahead silently with Hex at her side for a while before she answered. "More or less, yes. There are appearances to be made; rigorous schooling on history, formalities, and cultural expectations. There is a mold of conformity they try to make us malleable to. My training as a priestess," Seraphina motioned to her white and gold attire, "helped get me away from that life. My parents stressed how little freedom I would have when I began my training in the Order but I found I had more. It was ironic to see how people viewed a life in the palace from outside it and vice versa. You cannot possibly care about this," the princess chuckled. She cast a glance to Hex and was mildly surprised by the thoughtful look the other Skylander bore.
Hex watched the walls of the city approach as well as the traffic at the gate and frowned, "I do not care but was curious."
Windy however looked at a loss for words, almost as if her romantic idea about princesses and princes had been shattered. "I always thought priests were stuffy. Not sure why'd you wanna be one."

Meir Valan's walls were made of white stone and the gates the quartet was before were laid open to show the wonders within. Elves and a few other races strolled in and out freely with only guards present to check outgoing carts and any coming in. The four Skylanders drew attention, particularly the two that had the same face but different clothing styles. Windy was admiring the metallic skin tones of the eirian surrounding her. It was like walking into a living treasure vault she thought. Sunlight sparkled on elven skin like it would on any precious metal. There were a few elves with skin tones like that Windy was used to however. They almost looked out of place with their greens and teals. "Wow, this is so much different from a village," the Whirlwindling commented. The area they had entered was fairly open and full of shops, inns and taverns that lined the broad paved road. Along the center of the road and sometimes closer to the edges were large trees that parted the paving stones and left swaths of neatly manicured grass in their wake. The city was clean and the residents looked happy as they went about their daily business. Merchants called their wares, animals being taken for sale and post-sale were led by individuals in study clothing that seemed just as happy as those better dressed. Children ran through the area laughing and playing. From time to time they would bump into someone and get reprimanded for it but nothing worse than a mild tongue lashing ever came of it.

The scope of the city impressed Hex as well as alienated her, she herself had been a simple village girl and wasn't used to seeing that many people in one place. What was more was the fact that while it was obvious she and her twin were undead no one seemed to care. They wished the both of them a good day as often as they did the Pop Fizzling and Whirlwindling. Hex was actually offended by it at first, it seemed as if no one would give her the recognition she felt she deserved. But… there was the fact that they didn't separate her from the others. She had never been considered part of a normal group, not since the change at least. She had respect as a Skylander but like the other undead was still kept off to the side. Everywhere Hex had gone she saw the same, respect for her as a Skylander but distrust of her as an undead. Why was Meir Valan different?
"She is speechless," Windy whispered to Meilyr. She had chosen to walk with him to keep their two-by-two rhythm going.
"Thank the light," the gremlin replied with a smirk. "So, what do you think of our home so far?" he asked louder.
"This is the market district, right? It's pretty cheese. Can we see more?"
Meilyr looked over his left shoulder to a ball that bounced past him followed by two laughing children. "Assuming Seraphina is leading us towards the palace you will see much more."

Windy got her wish as the change in travel from foot to trekker drawn cart let her completely get lost in her surroundings. The two large reptiles plodded along at a pace brisker than walking but not as fast as they could go due to the crowd weaving all through their path. Past the market district the group of Skylanders came to the artisan area and more industrial sections of the city. The shops were often attached to forges or craft buildings. While anyone could buy glass from the glass blower it was mainly the shops near the gate that purchased items they further altered by combining them with other selections in the raw to make unique pieces. Swords were forged in the same areas as armor. Jewelry pieces were assembled and sold to other merchants or directly to the person that had commissioned the work. Then beyond that came the residential districts, there was a slight change in buildings to show the increase of wealth as they got closer to the palace that climbed up the gentle slope at the far end of the city. The Temple of Light was positioned near the palace and was the second tallest structure in the city. It was an empowering building with many people dressed much like Seraphina scurrying about in the courtyard.

"How can you stand to live in such a place?" Hex asked after a long period of silence. "How can you stand to be among so many bodies, scurrying about like rats this way and that?"
"It is all I have ever known," Seraphina replied. "Small settlements are quaint and appealing to me but I find myself missing the bustle of the city after a while. By comparison such places seem sleepy to me and a good way to lose track of time. Not always a bad thing, but I feel out of place there."
"I like getting lost in the crowds. Mischief making is more fun as well," Meilyr grinned.
"Watch him," Seraphina warned with an admonishing finger wave. "He will get himself into trouble simply for the fun of it." Seraphina gave the Fizzling a critical eye, "More so now I suspect because he is not recognizable as whom he is. At times I wonder how you became the personal guard for Ani."
"Who's Ani?" Windy asked.
"Anicetus is my brother," Seraphina replied as she folded her hands on her lap. "He is the heir to the throne. Ani is the youngest child of King Hayden and Queen Delyth Reve. He is a Skylander as well and has become an Ignitorling. He was there at Fetter Foothold with us though I think you missed one another." Seraphina was watching the driver, he didn't even flinch so either he wasn't listening to her conversation or didn't believe her. It mattered little. All Seraphina needed was for someone in the palace to believe her and grant her entry with her party.
"Oh I'm meeting all kinds of royalty!" Windy gasped. "How do I look?" she asked while sitting up proudly on the cart's seat.
"Like Whirlwind in a scarf," Hex replied flatly.
"You look beautiful," Seraphina interjected when Windy began to skulk. "Your fur is smooth and shiny; your wings have a healthy gleam to them. And you are smiling," the princess said. At the moment Windy wasn't but Seraphina's comment coaxed one out of her. "See, like that. Just smile and bow when I or Meilyr do and you will be fine." She glanced to Hex; hopefully she wouldn't have to tell her the same rules applied to her.

The palace gates were more for an ornate way to divide it's plaza from the square beyond. The only time the gates were closed was when the royal family had stopped seeing visitors. Still when Seraphina glided up to them after leaving the rest of her party standing back she was stopped by two guards.
"Have you business with the king and queen?" the elf with golden brown skin asked.
"I have come to call on the Ladies Amara and Morwen, if you please," Seraphina replied politely.
The guard frowned and turned to the other at his post. "Remain here; I will see if they are accepting of visitors. Who shall I tell them has come calling?"
"Four Skylanders, should they want more information describe to them how we look."
The guard glanced at the brooch Seraphina wore that bore the Reve family crest, a stylized Capricorn. When combined with her attire as a priestess the guard knew exactly what name she would give him should he ask. "I know who you are going to claim yourself as. I will tell them Princess Seraphina has come calling. If they deny that you are her you and your party will find yourselves awaiting further inspection in the barracks."
"Of course," Seraphina said with the bow of her head. It did irritate her to not be believed for who she was but she went through it each time she arrived without an escort from the palace. The guard dallied a moment longer before he turned around to stride quickly across the plaza and its fountain of birds in flight to the palace stairs.

"Is that good or bad?" Windy turned to Meilyr.
"Good, for now. He accepted her request for an audience with a palace inhabitant."
"I recognize those names," Hex said. "They were at Eon's citadel weren't they?" Meilyr nodded his reply. "Lovely," Hex growled. All she needed was to run into someone else that remembered how she had acted that night. She glanced to Windy; she probably wouldn't be going by the name Helen for much longer. Oh how the Whirlwindling would be surprised to learn the person she had so chided for reflecting poorly on Hex was in truth Hex herself.
Seraphina had turned back around to give the other's a reassuring smile but Windy was still nervous. She'd never been inside a palace, she was self-conscious suddenly. Were her feet clean enough? She picked up one to look at, the underside was blackened and her toe pads were like hardened leather but otherwise they were in the same condition as any shoe that had traveled her path. She checked her claws to clean out any dirt on them and fluttered her wings to make sure no broken or loose feathers were there to mar her streamlined look.
"Light, you are such a girl," Meilyr teased.
"You could use a comb to your fur," Windy retorted. "Bad fur day?" She smirked and carefully ran her lips over a few feathers of her wing to groom them and remove those that had been shed.
Meilyr snorted, before the formal event at the citadel Seraphina had taken him to get it trimmed. Now it was as fine a covering as velvet and wouldn't need brushing. Still it made him paranoid until the Fizzling remembered he didn't really care one way or another. "You still have dust in your feathers from the desert."
"Silence," Hex commanded. If she had to listen to their banter much longer she was going to scream.

After what seemed like an eternity the guard finally re-emerged with wine haired Amara and raven haired Morwen in tow. The two ladies were stepping quickly and forced the guard to follow in a brisk pace. It was obvious they were excited by how they had lifted up their skirts high enough for their slippered feet to be seen dashing across the paving stones.
"Seraphina!" Amara exclaimed as she let go of the section of her skirt she had gathered up and opened her arms for the Hexling. "Is that her?" she asked when Seraphina returned her embrace.
"It is, do not call her by name. Let her introduce herself. I will explain later," she said to Morwen's questioning look. "Oh it is good to see you again," Seraphina said as she motioned for Morwen to join them. The cousins exchanged greetings before looking back to the others. "Meilyr of course you know. I will let our new companions introduce themselves."
"Hiya, I'm Windy!" the blue Whirlwindling said in a chipper tone. "Pleased to meet cha!" She puffed her chest out and held her ears up straight to mimic the perfect posture she saw Seraphina and the ladies using.
"Hex," the elven caster introduced herself by her true name. She had stood tall and straight and let the others see her emanate an air of superiority.
"You are not," Windy scoffed. She shouldered the floating Skylander and gave her a crooked sort of grin.
"I am," Hex stressed with her nostrils flared.
"Whatever," the Whirlwindling said with a flip of her scarf.
"Windy, we have a bit of explaining to do in due time. That is the real Hex," Seraphina said apologetically. "Firstly though I would like to introduce you to my cousins Amara and Morwen," Seraphina said as she motioned to each.
"We have not met many Skylanders," Amara said with a curtsy to Seraphina's acquaintances. She was still wary of Hex but was determined to not let it sour anything.
Windy bowed back quickly when she caught Seraphina's prompt for her to. "Aw I'm only doing what I love!"
"Anicetus is here," Morwen said suddenly. "He came with another Pop Fizz-type we mistook as Meilyr at first." She turned to fall into step with Seraphina.
"Crevan?" Seraphina asked as she moved towards the gate.
"That would be him, yes," Amara nodded as she followed her cousins.

"Please, forgive me for my doubt," the guard hastily said as Seraphina ghosted by him. "I did it only to protect the king and queen."
"I understand," Seraphina gave him a small smile. It still annoyed her but she couldn't blame him for doing his job.
"So where is Anicetus?" Meilyr questioned when he took Morwen by the arm and turned her slightly to face him.
The lady in waiting placed her other hand on Meilyr's giant paw, he had grabbed her a little hard. She sighed when he let go and patted his retreating hand. "He and Crevan are with your father at the moment. Presumably they are talking about events that led to this." She cast a pointed look towards Hex but said nothing else.
"My mother?" Seraphina questioned just as she reached the palace steps.
"In her garden as usual," Amara answered this time. "Lord and Lady Gillespie were here just yesterday. Had we known you would visit they might have stayed longer. Will she and Rafer be in later? They will be saddened at missing Tera."
"We will set up a time in which they can see one another again, I promise." Seraphina looked back to Morwen; she knew how hard it was to not know how her sister faired.

Hex hated listening to things that didn't affect her, she couldn't care less about the Hexling's family or the woes of the kingdom she was visiting. She floated alongside Windy at the moment, the two behind the talking cousins and silent Meilyr. Windy was letting her gaze drift; she seemed to be trying to look everywhere at once to take in all she saw at the same time. The Whirlwindling was fascinated with the kingdom. Hex only wanted to leave it again. But she couldn't, Eon had placed her by Seraphina's side and she would follow the Hexling until he said otherwise. If Seraphina was going to take her to royal functions however she was going to start protesting. At the end of the palace plaza were the stairs that led into the dwelling of the royal family. Hex tried to keep her eyes straight ahead and ignore the grand building as she ascended the stairs.
"I don't mean to be rude," Windy said suddenly. "But where are we going? I feel a little weird, like I don't belong." She looked embarrassed and honestly the thought of meeting a king and queen was a little overwhelming. Windy fell silent the moment she set foot in the palace.
The entrance hall was grand with a high ceiling; at the lowest point of the ceiling was a skylight that showed just as much sky as it did the palace towers. Starting at the door and flowing towards the back of the room were sets of freestanding ornate arches, at the back of the room and to either side of the arches was a staircase that swept up towards the second floor and a set of large double doors. The doors were closed so there was no way for Hex or Windy to know it was the king's public audience chamber on the other side. Between the staircases on the same floor as the Skylanders was another door, also closed. Only those familiar with the palace knew it led to the ballroom. Seraphina led the group towards the right hand side of the room and past the staircase to a shallow pond lined with topiaries and cushioned benches.
"Morwen, please remain here with Meilyr, Hex and Windy. Amara come with me please. We will summon you when we have an audience with either my mother or father. Once we have procured rooms here in the palace for you for future visits I will allow you to roam the city at your leisure."
"Rooms in the palace?" Windy repeated in surprise. Her ears were standing straight up and she hardly dared to breathe. "How long are we going to be here? I've already been away from Krystal for several days. Don't get me wrong, you're the cheese and an awesome person to be around but I've got my own plans. Krystal's my biffer; I can't just leave her out."
"Forgive me," Seraphina clarified with a bow, "I did not mean you must stay but if we should continue to hold company it would be rude of me to make you stay at an inn." There was another word for Seraphina to figure out the meaning of, biffer.
"I've no problem with that," Hex said as she took a seat on a stool to prevent anyone else from sitting with her. "I would fit in with the 'commoners' better anyway," she said with a sniff.
Seraphina sighed, "Very well. Forget I mentioned it then. Meilyr, while I am away I suppose you should explain to Windy why we called Hex Helen for so long."
"Do I have to?" the gremlin whined. "You were always the better story teller."
"Oh don't worry," Hex said in a sickly sweet tone, "I will make sure you tell the story right." The princess hesitated for a moment longer before she and Amara took the nearest staircase.

Seraphina cast one last look down on the group at the second of the room's shallow ponds before she hovered towards the door to her father's public audience chamber. It was where the city's people would come in order to bring their disputes before the king every other morning. Seraphina could have let the others wait inside but she felt the pond and its flora were more soothing that the room obviously decorated to make sure those within didn't forget they were in the dwelling of their king.
"Will they be alright?" Amara asked as she swung open one of the heavy doors.
"Morwen can keep Meilyr under control. If she does not then Hex will; it is as simple as that." Seraphina glided in and left Amara paused at the door for a moment before she too slipped into the room that would grant them further access into the palace.

"Start talking, fur ball," Windy said as she climbed up onto a bench and sat down. Her feathered tail swished lazily behind her and gave her a very feline appearance. "Why did you lie to me?"
"Hex hates Seraphina," Meilyr started with. By the look on Windy's face he could see his explanation needed more. Morwen too gave him a look that prompted more. "Alright, alright!" Meilyr grumbled. "It all started with the party at the citadel of Eon," he began. Meilyr told the story as he remembered it with Morwen and Hex both adding additional comments from time to time.
Windy listened raptly, she seemed to soak up every detail and her expression changed with the tone of the story from amused to astounded then wary when they neared the end and Hex's drunken outburst followed by Eon's assignment of her to Seraphina. "But why did you decide to go by the name Helen?"
"I didn't decide; the princess gave me the name. I failed to protest, she kept using it." Hex omitted the part on it being because Seraphina was trying to spare Hex the humiliation of being toted around like an accessory. Something about the way Windy looked at her told the Core that she had figured that part out on her own. "That is in the past," Hex snapped. "You know the truth now so I expect you to stop comparing me to others," Hex said while extending a black nailed finger to the Whirlwindling.
"You're the boss," Windy said as she sat back on her haunches and raised her front paws in a defensive manner.
"Yes," Hex said simply as she sat up tall.
Morwen exchanged a tight lipped glance with Meilyr, neither of them thought Hex could show the king and queen any form of politeness.

It felt good to be back in the halls of home, as much as Seraphina wanted to meander about at a leisurely pace she knew she was on a mission. As she glided swiftly through the halls with Amara at her elbow the two talked about things that had changed since they last saw one another at Eon's citadel. There was still no word on Eloryn, the final princess was still lost somewhere in Skylands or possibly trapped on Earth.
"They will not admit it but it has been especially hard on your parents," Amara said as the duo stepped outside into the queen's garden. Queen Delyth tended it herself, she had a small amount of help from gardeners but for the most part it was the queen's own hard work that bore fruits. "I trust you have already seen what they helped your Portal Master do on his island?"
"I have," Seraphina nodded. She glanced down at her feet and had a momentary moment of sadness. She remembered tripped over the paving stones she was now hovering over many times as a child. Now she couldn't even feel the difference in the transition from smooth stone to rough stone and stone to grass or dirt.
Amara caught the mood and decided to act as if she hadn't noticed after a giving the princess a few moments. "They are trying to reach out to the Portal Master for Anicetus to do the same for him."
"Kaelin!" Seraphina gasped suddenly. She turned to Amara and took the surprised lady in waiting by the shoulders. "Kaelin found us! He visited the island Sean maintains while we were attending the gathering Grandmaster Eon hosted. Galvin is with him, in his message he told me he is restricted to only two days a week in Skylands. I want to meet with Kaelin the moment he arrives."
"I know," Amara laughed as she reached out to place a hand on one of Seraphina's extended arms. "Anicetus told us about everything. The Portal Master island Kaelin hails from is a fair distance from this region, it is no wonder he has not made it here or to his mother."
"I must visit Haven," Seraphina said as she released Amara's shoulders. "I need to tell Queen Elanniah of the return of her son."
"Your father has already sent an embassy," Amara smiled. She watched Seraphina nod then begin to glide across the stepping stones before she followed. Her heart went out to her cousin; she could only imagine what it was like to lose siblings and the love of your life at the same time.

Queen Delyth Reve of Meir Valan did not look the part of monarch at the moment. She wore a sturdy work dress spotted with dirt and stains from crushed greens. Gloves caked in cracked dirt clapped together to dislodge some of the grime and restore dexterity in her fingers. The queen gave a happy sigh as she moved the back of her hand up to rub at an itch on her forehead under her hat. Her face too had splotches of dirt as a testament to how hard she had been working. She brushed dust off her dress as she unfolded her knees and stood up. She stepped back to look at the freshly turned soil and the tiny wooden pegs she had placed to indicate where she had planted seeds. The queen loved working in her garden; it was the perfect place to go to get her mind off of whatever troubled it. Currently it was her missing daughter Eloryn. It had become common knowledge that the destruction of a Skylander's prison didn't lead to freedom but death. Delyth worried so about her youngest daughter's absence and her imagination kept filling in the holes with dark thoughts. The queen pulled her gloves off and deposited them in her basket of tools before she surveyed other parts of her garden she had yet to plant for the season.

"Mother?"
Delyth spun quickly in both surprise and hope that the voice she had heard was Eloryn. It wasn't but she was happy to see Seraphina nonetheless, the sisters sounded so much alike. Delyth held her arms out wide for her eldest and happily accepted the Hexling's embrace. "Oh my daughter, it is so good to see you again. What brings you home?"
Seraphina hugged her mother tightly and kept her chin on her shoulder as she replied, "I missed the familiar sights and sounds. That and it was time to return Meilyr home."
"Oh! You brought the lad with you?" Delyth asked as she looked behind her daughter. She found only Amara smiling sheepishly. Meilyr may not have been her son but he had grown up next to Anicetus and Delyth often reprimanded him as if he were her own.
"He is in the entrance hall with Hex and a new friend, Windy."
"I have heard the story of Hex being in your company," Delyth said tersely. "I am not looking forward to meeting the Core, I must be frank."

"You are not with Anicetus?" Seraphina asked as she finally moved back from her mother.
"Please dear," the queen waved to her niece, "join us Amara. You are a part of the family and are welcome to add to our conversation." She waited for Amara to step up with them before she answered her daughter, "I spoke with your brother for a while before your father moved to other topics. I took my leave then to work on my garden. No news of your sister was brought; I found it hard to concentrate on conversations in light of that fact."
"Allow me to find father while you ready yourself to greet our guests," Seraphina smiled as she took her mother by the hands.
Delyth smiled back, "We will greet your friends and have them for dinner though I suspect Hex in particular will be eager to leave."
Seraphina lowered her gaze, "I wish to remain the night but would rather not give Hex reason to be her oh so charming self."
Delyth chuckled and stroked her daughter's hair; she looked past Hex's face and chose to see Seraphina as she remembered her. "We will endure whatever scathing remarks she makes, child. Or rather I will. Your father is another story."
"Light help us," Seraphina managed to say with a nervous laugh.

Left to their own devices in the entrance foyer, Meilyr had convinced Windy to join him in a game of dice. Meilyr could often be found playing any number of gambling games to pass the time when he was allowed downtime. Windy was currently glaring at him in scrutiny with her ears pinned down and her wings folded in such a way she resembled a vulture sitting on a tree limb looking down on something about to expire.
"No, I promise you my dice are not weighted!" Meilyr said defensively.
"Then how is it you keep rolling all the points?" Windy demanded. She had Morwen roll for her as the Whirlwindling's paws weren't dexterous enough to do it on her own.
"To be fair, you have scored yourself," Morwen said as she scooped up the dice. The raven haired elf weighted them again; she couldn't detect anything in them.
"He's winning though, never a bad roll!" Windy insisted.
Morwen reached out slowly to Meilyr's upturned paw. "Keep your hand out and away from any other part of yourself or other items," she told him before relinquishing her hold.
"Childish gambling games," Hex murmured. She had no interest in playing herself, not with the stakes set forward. The winner was going to choose one of Meilyr's potions to make the loser drink, an unfair stake particularly if Windy had no potions knowledge. Still it could prove amusing for Hex and thus was the only reason she was bothering to watch.

"Here I see you dicing in the palace entrance hall, for shame Meilyr De'clan!"
Meilyr jumped at the tone and voice used and all six of his dice bounced against the floor with three landing in the shallow pool of water to his left. The gremlin was on his feet in an instant with his arms flat by his sides, back straight and eyes wide as they looked nowhere else but forward.
A stern looking elf with fiery red hair and rich brown skin with the region's standard metallic flair and vibrant green eyes stood behind the group at the base of the stairs. He had his arms folded behind him and his clothing was pressed and decorated with various metals and braided cords of rope at his shoulders. His boots were so polished they were like black mirrors. His features were so still they could have been carved from stone. His eyes flitted over the assorted group before stopping on Morwen, the lady kneeling at the side of a Skylander he didn't know. "Lady Morwen, certainly you too have not involved yourself in this debauchery Meilyr practices?"
Morwen rose to her feet fluidly and dipped into a curtsey before the well-dressed elf, "I am sorry Commander Roghallach. I was merely helping Windy roll the dice, she has no hands with which to accomplish this task herself."
Hex liked the elf already, from his firm expression to the rigid posture and no-nonsense attitude perhaps her stay in Meir Valan wouldn't be that bad after all.
Roghallach tilted his chin up slightly. "Meilyr, introduce me to your guests."
"Yes, sir. Of course," he said with nervousness unfamiliar to the usually animated gremlin.

"Commander Roghallach of the army of Meir Valan, loyal to King Hayden Reve," Meilyr began with a hand extended towards him, "May I introduce you to Lady Hex of Core Skylander fame and Lady Windy, a standard level Skylander much like myself." Meilyr watched Morwen slink off to stand behind Roghallach, it was the best way to avoid that steely gaze of his and the Fizzling was frustrated that he too wouldn't have that option.
Roghallach dipped into a polite bow before the female Skylanders. "It is an honor to be in your company," he said.
Hex had to roll her eyes, so many of these big city elves toted about honor for this and that. Ah well, she still liked the commander. "Thank you, commander," she replied with an informal curtsy of her own.
Windy kept looking at the military elf with wide eyes, his bright hair and eyes next to his dark skin made him look very intense and she got the feeling he was going to be strict. She was just going to have to avoid him, then. "Um, hiya," she said at last. "This is a very nice place you have here."
"You may repeat that to the king and queen, I am but a soldier here." Roghallach bowed once more before turning to the stairs. "I request that you follow me now, the King and Queen of Meir Valan will see you."

The king's public audience hall was a large white marble room with very little in the lines of seating. There were two chairs near the back of the room, both oversized and ornate. They sat upon a raised dais and were flanked by long black banners with gold lining bearing a turquoise Capricorn with golden hooves, horns and tail fin, both the symbol for the Reve family line as well as Meir Valan. One of the chairs was slightly larger than the other and draped over the back of it, barely visible around the dark haired head of the king was a charging bull wearing a collar of white roses. The king himself was dressed in a deep red that was nearly black with golden accents and embroidery around the collar.
Above the head of the queen was a similar banner bearing an image of a dove in flight trailing ribbon. The queen was dressed in a pale yellow dress with white tails of fabric on either hip. Directly behind the chairs and between the ruling family's banners was a large curtain, presumably leading to a door and further into the palace.

Along the length of the room, closer to the walls than center of the area, were large Corinthian-style, elaborate pillars. They had sconces with glowing crystals providing an unneeded light as the windows around nearly the whole of the room close to the ceiling let in plenty of sun. On the walls and between pillars were tables holding various items; some looked like dull weapons and others items of power. As a backdrop to the tables the black, gold and turquoise banner of the ruling family was present. The center of the room bore a plush carpet of black fabric that muffled the sound of footfalls as they traveled it.
In fact, now that Hex thought about it the only other seats in the room were two long, low benches on either side of the empty suits of armor that flanked the entrance door.

Standing next to the right of the king was the Ignitorling Anicetus with his hands folded over the pommel of his sword and his armor once again polished to a shine. On Delyth's right was Seraphina the Hexling dressed as a princess in a white gown with a tan corset worn on the outside and wide, billowing sleeves tucked against her arms above the elbow with tan braided cords. Her hands were empty and clasped in front of her. Her long white hair was pulled back into a thick braid just like her mother's blonde.
Roghallach moved away from the group to stand below the king just in front of the dais that raised the chairs. Already present in the room was the second Pop Fizz-type. He had turned around to watch the approaching group and was positioned several feet in front of the dais. In front of the queen stood another elf in a position much like Roghallach had taken. Avon De'clan, Meilyr's father and Roghallach's captain was dressed much the same as Roghallach with fewer metals. Hex recognized him from Eon's Citadel and the look he gave her said he too recognized her.

When the group reached Crevan at last Morwen ghosted off to stand next to a pillar with Amara and another lady in waiting that had not been introduced to the Skylanders. The unnamed lady bore a sour look unbefitting of her pretty beige face. Morwen and Amara exchanged quick words then fell silent when the overall silence of the room made them feel as if their conversation were shouted.
When Windy stopped walking at last she was between the two Fizzlings and took a moment to look at them before she turned her eyes back to the king and queen. Seraphina's mother had a kind face and looked much friendlier than her father; he looked stern and seemed to have his jaw clenched as he surveyed the guests before him.
Meilyr was the one to break the silence, he slid down easily to one knee and bowed his head before he introduced the two Skylanders he had arrived with then ventured forth a guess that Crevan was the other Fizzling with them. Only when the king told Meilyr to rise did he. He wasn't surprised to see Crevan in a bow but did widen his eyes at Hex's curtsy and Windy's bended knees. Just barely he caught Seraphina straighten her own posture; she had prompted them into action.

"I welcome you to Meir Valan," King Hayden said in a voice that was at least gentler than the set of his face led the others to believe. "I understand that in these strange times it is unusual to see Skylanders so far from the Core of Light and clear of the schemes Kaos lays out. I thank you for lending your time to my two children," he held a hand out to each one briefly before folding them again on his arm rests. "I also understand that while you are allies you are not in the roles of protector for them. I do not expect you to do so but would appreciate sending word to us should something happen."
Hex held her tongue, she owed nothing to this king; he wasn't her king after all. Still she couldn't hide her dislike of the situation and her expression grew ever darker, something that the queen didn't miss and kept her eye on the Core thereafter.
"I would also like to extend to you and your Portal Masters an offer of alliance. If there is anything I can do to aid you in your quest do not hesitate to ask."
"Thank you, um sir," Windy said slowly. "Krystal will be happy to have your assistance." She didn't know that for sure but assumed she would. Someone with their finger on the pulse of Skylands would prove most beneficial.
"It would be an honor, King Hayden," Crevan said with a formal bow. "I am sure Beth and her other Skylanders will benefit from your assistance greatly."
Meilyr glanced sideways to Hex; the Core had her lips pressed into a thin line in her refusal to answer. He glanced back to the king to see him raise a questioning eyebrow before the Fizzling barely shook his head. He swore he heard whispering from Anicetus but couldn't be sure.

The queen rose at about the same time Roghallach and Avon knelt down and her two children bowed their heads. Meilyr and Crevan both knelt as did the three ladies near the pillar. After a moment Windy followed suit but Hex merely mirrored the bowed head of the two royal children. "Please, stand," Delyth said softly. "There is no need to make this a formal instance. I understand it was a surprise for the majority of you to find yourselves in our halls. We are pleased to be your hosts for the duration of your stay in Meir Valan but I understand your obligation as Skylanders. I invite you to join us for dinner and will offer you room and board here in the palace should you decide to remain with us for a while."
"Thank you for your hospitality," Crevan bowed his head. Out of the corner of his eye he caught a look of disdain from Hex but chose to ignore it.

The royal couple spoke a while longer about the city and what was open to the visitors in the palace before they concluded the meeting and gave the visitors leave. The king and queen exited the room first via a door behind the curtain as expected. Avon and Roghallach turned to usher the visiting Skylanders out as Seraphina and Anicetus descended the dais to join them.
"All the pomp and ceremony I expected," Hex said with a sniff. She had hoped for a reaction from the two army officers but didn't seem to care either way when they did nothing.
"Cheerful," Crevan said softly once Anicetus was within range.
"You have no idea," the prince groaned. He looked out to his guests before raising his voice so all could hear, "As of this moment you have free reign of Meir Valan. Go and see the sights of the city, enjoy yourselves in the markets or theater. I can provide you with escorts if you wish," the Ignitorling offered.
"I will be fine on my own," Hex replied as she ghosted out of the room ahead of the others. Roghallach picked up his pace to follow with a nod to Avon to let him know he had it under control.
"I will take one," Windy said with a paw up. "I don't want to look like a wandering shoob," she laughed at herself.
"I will go with her," Morwen offered as she scurried up then curtsied before Seraphina.
The princess nodded, the arrangement worked for her. "If Windy decides she would rather depart than join us for dinner please see that she has transport beyond our borders. That flight would tire her out terribly."
"Na, I'll just get Krystal to open a portal or I'll take myself out of Skylands. I'm starting to miss my Portal Master. But I'll be back tomorrow!" she said quickly. "If I don't see you before I jet outta here it's been fun. Thank you for letting me see a real palace and king and queen." Windy didn't see Seraphina hand Morwen the coin purse she had tried to give the Whirlwindling earlier but Morwen seemed to understand what it was without an exchange of instructions.

The room was now filled with only inhabitants to the region, Crevan being the only one not from Meir Valan itself. "I have heard much about you," the Fizzling said as he dropped a paw onto the armor plate of Meilyr's shoulder.
"I heard a little about you," the gremlin replied. He stared openly at his fellow Fizzling. "Like looking in a mirror. Unnerving."
Crevan grinned; again there was that insane light in his eyes granted by his borrowed form. "You have yet to be in a large group of others like you. Try keeping names straight when all the faces are the same."
"You up for a little potions practice?" Meilyr said with a mischievous light in his eyes.
Crevan turned to the prince; his flames were a bright, soft yellow. "Somehow I am expecting payback for the ostriches."
Anicetus laughed and Meilyr looked confused. "That is classic Meilyr; I will have nothing to do with it. Although I would like to join you if you do not mind allowing me access to your potion scrip?"
Meilyr grinned widely at that, "The more the merrier!"

Seraphina glided up to the two ladies in waiting, only one of them truthfully hers but with the lack of Eloryn those assigned to her sister differed to Seraphina. "It is good to see you again, Aelwen," Seraphina nodded to the brown haired lady.
Aelwen sniffed and looked past Seraphina to the departing trio. "You do know they are going to scare that poor fellow from Hawk Ridge."
A chuckle preceded Seraphina's reply, "I think Crevan can handle himself." She glanced to Amara, the other lady had told her the story she had heard from Anicetus first about the visit to Crevan's home and ostrich pens. Seraphina glanced back to Avon, the only other occupant left in the room. "Is there something you wish to ask me?"
Avon shook his head with a smile. "It is good to see you back in these halls, Seraphina. Is there any chance my nephew and his lovely wife will be joining us tonight?"
Seraphina blinked at his statement, it was entirely possible for that to happen. "Come with me, Captain," she said to him. "I will take you to where the pilot of the ship is that we rented for this escapade. If he is willing to make another trip you will be able to meet with Rafer and Teranika before bringing them back here."
"If you have no need of me, Princess, may I be dismissed?" Aelwen asked.
"Of course," the Hexling replied. "Amara would you care to come with me? I would like to go for a ride through the country before dinner."
Amara curtsied, "Of course. I would enjoy a ride as well."