'Blast it! Why did he have to change the location?'
While Noble appreciated that Lena hadn't seen her with Master Roan, the change of venue for the meeting was very inconvenient. Either the man who she was about to meet was very paranoid, or someone had indeed been following him.
Either way, Noble was now having to track down a second location in Bastion that day.
'If only the Bread Crumbs took me where I wanted to go instead of just telling me where I've been, this would be much easier.'
Noble's eyes opened slightly. She felt her face. The Master had forgotten to return her scarf to her face. It was a rookie blunder. Pulling up the cloth, she sighed.
'I can't worry about that now. I just have to get where I am going.'
Turning down what seemed like the right road based on Roan's limited map, Noble felt the mood in the city change.
"She's coming!"
Flinching, Noble gritted her teeth. Had someone recognized her from her Dreamscape days?
That could get complicated quickly if the cry drew more attention.
Noble turned to try and head off any questions that might come her way, but the speaker was looking and pointing at the sky.
Everyone was.
Noble could feel their awe and wonder.
She looked up, too.
In the distance, a single cloud hung in the sky. No, it wasn't a cloud.
Noble squinted.
'Is that an Island?'
It was. As it drew closer at frightening speed, Noble registered what she was seeing.
'It's one of the Chained Isles! An…unchained isle?' Noble furrowed her brow.
Of course, she knew what this magnificent palace was. Even though she had never seen it, the Ivory Tower was as famous as any of the Great Citadels.
"I guess Lady Nephis succeeded in her mission."
"Slaying that menace could not have been easy. I am beginning to think there is nothing the Princess cannot do."
"I hope the King of Swords lets his adopted daughter rest a little longer this time before sending her out on another quest. She has earned it."
As if on cue, the island floated overhead, and a lone figure leapt from the edge. Two stunning wings unfurled, lifting the ethereal being into the air to soar over the city streets.
"It's her! Lady Nephis, look here!"
"I'm pretty sure she could outshine the sun."
"Valor is very lucky to have such a strong, promising Saint."
"I want to get a tattoo of her on my arm."
"Are you kidding? A face like Changing Star's deserves a statue, not your scrawny bicep…"
The banter and comments went on as Lady Nephis circled the city before rejoining the Ivory Tower as it neared Bastion's fortress.
Noble not only heard the admiration in the voices around her, but she felt their emotions. The angelic creature hovering overhead had the respect, trust, and hope of the people of Bastion.
Something in them seemed to stir by her mere presence: another feeling Noble had difficulty defining.
The emotion surrounded and engulfed her, carrying her along in its tide.
'Longing. She makes these people yearn for something better. More.'
Noble had never felt anything quite like it. For the first time in a long time, she, too, wanted to believe that everything would be alright. The yearning in her heart was lit like a flame, fueled by those around her.
It was overwhelming.
'Is this something special about Changing Star, or does the King of Swords inspire the same loyalty?'
No one that Noble knew felt this strongly about the Queen of Ravenheart. Maybe she had just had too small of a sampling. Also, she hadn't spent much time around anyone who had seen the queen, so the comparison was unfair.
As Nephis returned to her citadel, Noble dipped her head.
The Saint's presence had inexplicably bolstered her confidence. The Master would have to contemplate this strange phenomenon later.
For now, she needed to be on her way.
Winding away from the lake, the streets were twisted and unpredictable. Like Ravenheart, Bastion had undergone a population boom that it wasn't fully prepared for.
So what started out as temporary dwellings quickly became permanent structures, which roads then needed to form around. That wasn't to say things were unorganized, but for a visitor unfamiliar with the layout, navigation was difficult.
'Ugh, forget this!'
Shutting her eyes, Noble focused on her goal. She hadn't wanted to use her Ability within the vicinity of the Great Citadel, but she saw no way around it.
'There you are.'
It took a moment to sift through the myriad of souls around her, but Noble at last locked onto her target.
Hopefully, she hadn't alerted anyone to her presence by the sudden expenditure of essence, but if she did, Noble wasn't planning to stay in town long enough for them to find her.
Memorizing the route, Noble retracted her emotional sense and headed off in a brisk walk.
The wind tugged at her hood, loosening a strand of golden hair from its confines. She clicked her tongue.
She tucked it back and tightened her woven scarf around her nose. The Master couldn't risk being recognized again. Circulating her essence, Noble made sure the bracelets on her wrists were working to their full capacity.
Even if someone felt her presence, they wouldn't know she was a Master.
'Almost there.'
Confirming that her eyes were still a soft violet, the Master ducked onto the final street.
Thankfully, she didn't need to risk another use of her Ability. Her final destination was now obvious.
Midway down the road, an Awakened with a white feather sticking out of his helmet was leaning against the outside wall of a house.
As Noble approached, he straightened, his light green eyes shining with interest.
"May I help you?"
"I believe I'm expected," Noble held his gaze.
She felt a little weird not introducing herself to the member of the White Feather Clan, but it was for his own good.
And hers too, of course.
Removing his helmet, the man brushed his blue-tipped bangs from his eyes.
With a modified bow, he pushed on the door.
"Follow me."
The modest house was clean and tidy but did not look particularly lived in. If the White Feather Clan owned this place, it was only meant for visits to see the king.
"Wait here."
The young man pointed to the front room, which held a carved wooden bench.
Noble simply nodded. The less she said, the better. She hovered over the seat in a modified sit.
A moment later, she heard the young Awakened's voice.
"Sir, someone is here to see you."
"Thank you, Dragontino. I will be there shortly."
The Awakened returned to repeat the news, then retired to his place at the entrance.
Noble folded her hands, then unfolded them. She stood up, paced, and then pretended to sit once more.
She blew out her cheeks.
Why was she so nervous? She had been planning for over a year for this time to come.
She was a respected Master embarking on another adventure.
But deep down, Noble knew the source of her unease.
Roan was in the next room.
And he wasn't alone.