Alara, High Elder Yhulthad, and Eliza sat together within a grand white and golden carriage, surrounded by an array of lothric guards, their presence radiant and imposing. The carriage itself gleamed with divine craftsmanship, adorned with intricate patterns and symbols that seemed to shimmer with celestial light. "For some reason, I couldn't find Grand Master Arioch," Eliza addressed the other two high beings, who were both dressed in angelic robes that exuded an aura of holiness and wisdom.
"He said he was going to speak with the Lumerians," Alara informed him, her voice carrying a tone of concern.
"Hmm," Eliza exclaimed, leaning back against the carriage's luxurious interior. "Something wrong?" he inquired, his gaze shifting between Alara and Master Yhulthad, his eyes as pure white as the moon, reflecting the divine essence within.
Alara glanced over at Master Yhulthad, who appeared lost in his own thoughts. "No, just something important," she replied, deciding not to burden Eliza with the details of her vision. There was no need to cause unnecessary worry.
Eliza studied her for a moment, his gaze analytical and she thought he could see through her. "You should come south sometime," he suggested after a brief silence. "My mother misses you."
"I didn't think Taliah liked me," Alara blurted out, surprised by the revelation.
Eliza chuckled softly. "You were a brat back then. I hardly liked you," he teased, his tone playful yet affectionate. "That's rude," Alara protested, though a smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
"Oh yeah, wasn't there a time you went around with a stick, beating everyone with it?" Eliza pointed out, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"That's not true," Alara rebuked, feeling disbelief. She turns.
"That's not true," she declares as she addresses Master Yhulthad, feeling embarrassed.
"It's true," Eliza insisted, grinning. "You were going around asking people to duel, and if they won or they didn't partake, you'd have a fit and beat them with a stick."
"We'll have to agree to disagree," Alara said with a playful smirk, relaxing once more.
"You kids were always so close," Master Yhulthad interjected, drawing their attention. "And problematic," he added with a chuckle, reminiscing about their younger days. "But here you are, both of you, still full of life but so much more accomplished," he praised them, his words carrying a sense of pride and admiration. "You should come to the southside as well, Master Yhulthad," Eliza suggested warmly, extending the invitation to the wise lothran.
"The people speak of you in such high regard," Eliza confessed, a teasing glint in his eyes. "I think they might be in love with you, sire," he added with a playful grin. Master Yhulthad smiled warmly as he recalled the tiny village by the clear river, surrounded by fruit-filled trees, bushes and lush plantations. "I'm in love with that place as well," he admitted, the memories bringing a sense of nostalgia to his heart.
"My mom always talks about how often you came to visit, and that you taught her a lot," Eliza explained, his tone filled with admiration. "Yes, I suppose I did," Yhulthad replied modestly, his mind drifting through a myriad of memories from his many visits to the diverse lands and peoples of Ailon. It was one of the blessings of having lived for as long as he had.
"Taliah, was it?" he said, addressing Eliza. "She was problematic as well," he chuckled, reminiscing about the old days.
"No way?" Alara gasped, her eyes widening in surprise. "Really?" she looked to Yhulthad for confirmation, who smiled knowingly before she turned to Eliza.
"I didn't know," he admitted.
"She was always so uptight," Alara mused, settling back into her seat as she recalled her own younger days.
"What changed?" she asked Yhulthad, curious to know more about the transformation.
"Age, my dear. It sucks the fun out of all of us," Yhulthad replied with a wry smile, his gaze drifting out of the carriage to the passing lands below.
The streets of Pandora upon their arrival, which was hardly unnoticed in the capital of Ailon. Eliza took the lead, and exited the carriage first, his confident stride cutting through the crowd. Alara's attention remained fixed on Yhulthad, who seemed burdened by an unseen weight.
She couldn't shake the feeling of unease that hung in the air like a heavy fog. Yhulthad's somber demeanor only deepened her concern, prompting her to press him for answers. "What exactly is going on?" Alara's voice held a note of urgency, her eyes searching Yhulthad's for the truth she knew he held. "And please be truthful, Yhulthad. I know something is bothering you, so say it."
Yhulthad's gaze faltered momentarily, a rare display of vulnerability from the typically composed lothran. "Sorry, I was just coming to grips with the news I have just received. It was an error not to inform you once I knew," he confessed, his voice tinged with regret.
Before Yhulthad could elaborate further, Eliza interrupted, opening the door to the carriage. Alara raised a hand to dismiss him, her focus squarely on Yhulthad. "I'll leave you be," Eliza said, sensing the shift in atmosphere as he bowed slightly and closed the carriage door behind him.
Alara turned back to Yhulthad, her expression one of concern. Whatever news he held, it seems grave, and she dreaded that. "There will be a trial held here soon," Yhulthad began again, his voice carrying a weight that seemed to press down on Alara's shoulders.
"Trial for what?"
"Crimes against the dictums set by the Lumerians," Yhulthad explained, his tone heavy with incredulity.
"Against who?"
"The Aratheans," he added, his words hanging in the air like a dark omen. Alara's mind raced, trying to comprehend the gravity of what Yhulthad was saying.
"They... have a herald," he continued, his gaze unwavering.
"A herald? The Lumerians chose a herald?" Alara's voice rose with astonishment, her mind struggling to process the implications.
"No," Yhulthad replied, his expression pained. "They ordained their own herald."
Alara's eyes widened in shock. "What?" she gasped, the realization hitting her like a physical blow. "What?" she repeated, her voice echoing with disbelief. "Who ordained what?"
"How?" she demanded, her impatience palpable.
"I don't know, my dear," Yhulthad confessed, his own uncertainty mirroring Alara's. She ran a hand through her hair, her thoughts racing a mile a minute. "Why would they do that?" Alara's voice was tinged with desperation as she tried to make sense of the chaos unfolding before her. "The Lumerians won't take kindly to this," she pointed out, her mind already calculating the potential repercussions. "Desperation can do that to mortals," Yhulthad said with a sigh, his tone heavy with regret.