“The League of Free Cities is theoretically an alliance between the cities of Ostia, Saryama, Old Kyne, and Tarandium against the incursions of their larger neighbours and the undead of the Barren Lands. In practice, it has evolved into an arena where Lucuria, Gratia, Potomia, and Zephir engage in high level politicking to determine the prices of goods, trade, and flow of men and resources up and down the eastern Tranoire. Shows of martial might are also accomplished through the distributing of ‘volunteer’ troops to serve two seasons at the Kynesfort against undead invasions. A rotating honour for the larger nations. In truth, it is also a place to send seditious elements, traitors, criminals, and exiled nobles. A fact that the people of Old Kyne are all too happy to take advantage of. ”


    - Fmr Gratian Magistrate.Ekran Montan, Arterian Academy of Political Studies, “Lecture on The League of Free Cities and Eastern Cyndralia”


    <hr><hr>


    “Sophie! Aryana! Mr. Martins said you have friends! Sophie? Sophie! Sophie?!” Alodie bounded in, practically jumping past the doorway before focusing her gaze on Sophie and her counterpart, her pupils darting back and forth. The girl’s eyes expanded into saucers as she tried to sort everything out, her only consolation being Aryana waving at her.


    “Bahaha!” A collective laugh came from the party.


    The real Sophie and Aryana jumped up to offer their friend a hug, one that Alodie seemed pleased by.


    “Long story short, that’s Sophia, my twin. That there is Elaria, my sister, she’s a bard and that’s her travel companion Raylani.” Sophie introduced the others.


    “Ah-ah! H-hello all!” Alodie exclaimed.


    Whilst Alodie did do a double take trying to compare Sophie to Sophie, her gaze eventually paused on Raylani, the shock of seeing such a strange elf evidently proving a bit much to handle. Shifting a little at the attention placed upon her, Raylani dropped into a seductive bow that had the room laughing again. Alodie looked away and Sophie beckoned for her to join the group. Only now did Alodie seem to notice Sophie’s armor and the girl failed to discreetly hide herself ogling the armourpiece.


    Also wanting to show off a little, Sophia walked over and spun her cloak around, revealing a few runic scripts that matched what the dwarves had engraved on the armour. Seeing this, Alodie looked even more amazed and looked hungrily at the group, eagerly waiting for a story.


    “Sophie got recruited by the church for a quest.” Ary whispered conspiratorially, prompting Alodie to turn towards her with interest.


    “And?” Alodie inquired, before realising that everyone was still standing up. She then nervously dipped her head apologetically before gesturing for everyone to sit.


    The room shared a small laugh until Mr Martins the innkeeper arrived with some breakfast dishes. Veal meatballs and salad were their morning meals and he even bowed deeply at Alodie, prompting the others to turn towards her. Shifting uneasily in her seat, Alodie seemed to consider some things until she revealed the truth.


    “Eheheh… my family is very… business focused? So my family has many ventures, and gave me the management rights of this inn. It is going well!” Alodie beamed proudly, “I am young though, so most of management still comes from Mr. Martins and my staff. I can calculate finances really well though!”


    Sophie giggled and patted her friend on the back, giving her a thumbs up as they dug into their meals. Sensing the lull, Alodie turned back to Aryana, who in turn looked at Sophie, who just shrugged. Go for it, Ary.


    With her cue received, Ary pondered for a few seconds before grinning at Alodie, more than happy to recount her girlfriend’s exploits despite some lingering pain.


    “It’s true! The church asked her to help with something involving the dwarves, that’s why there’s dwarven letters on her armour.” Ary began.


    “I see! Another adventure? Do tell!” Alodie bobbed excitedly, and Sophie couldn’t help but see a bit of herself in the girl. Just like when Eva would tell stories to me.


    Ary rubbed her nose and Sophie felt mildly embarrassed as she realised that Ary truly was trying to show off her girlfriend. "So we travelled to the city of Festheim to meet with some people…” Ary continued.


    <hr><hr>


    Elaria picked up where Ary had left off with her own tale about her and Raylani’s encounter with the Traxian prince. By the end of it all, Alodie was glancing between everyone with eyes filled with awe that made all of them a little embarrassed. That mattered little however, for breakfast was finished and so were the stories. It was Alodie’s turn to take the stage and the girl seemed almost even more eager than when she had arrived to show them all a good time. Her spirit made Sophie smile and she waited patiently for Alodie’s plan for the day to be revealed.


    “First… First we’ll go to the temple, they usually decorate a bunch. Oh! But I got here so early they won’t be ready yet… hmmm, maybe the gardens, yes! They’re indoors and pretty, powered by magic. Then we can have luncheon at the square and…” Alodie excitedly bounced up and down.


    Letting out a laugh of her own, Sophia draped her arm over Alodie, “How about you just lead us around, so we can be pleasantly surprised along the way?”


    Alodie froze and everyone feared that somehow they had hurt the poor girl. But to their great relief, she began bouncing once more with renewed enthusiasm, “Yes! A pleasant surprise it will all be! Yes! You’re a genius Sophie.” She frowned, looking at Sophie before at Sophia, “Sorry, Sophia. I meant, Sophia. Right? Did I get it right?”


    “It’s fine.” Sophia snickered, “We are basically identical, it happens.” She winked at Sophie.


    Sophie rolled her eyes, but still chuckled at her counterpart.


    “Ah…” Alodie paused, looking far more timid now.


    “What is it?” Sophia asked, “Sorry, was I being too friendly?” The girl immediately backed off a little.


    “Wha? No, no! It’s just, now that we’ve had breakfast, I realize… uhmm, would anyone object if I just freshen up a bit?” Alodie asked, shuffling around awkwardly.


    “If you want to use the bathrooms or just shower, go for it. We won’t mind.” Sophia stated.


    The rest of them simply gestured for Alodie to continue.


    “I uhh… I also woke up a bit too early, I suspect. I might have been more excited than I should have been.” She sheepishly grinned, “But, but! I just need an hour to get ready? So we’ll meet here in an hour? I''m so, so sorry for the delay.”


    “It’s fine. It really is!”


    “Oh! Good! Really?”


    “For sure.” Sophia insisted.


    “I erm, then I’ll be back as fast as I can. I’m sorry! It’ll just be a bath and I’ll be good.”


    Hearing this, there was a collective moment of relief and everyone nodded their affirmation. Delighted by the agreement, Alodie bid her goodbyes and rushed towards where the inn’s baths were like a lightning bolt. Once she was gone, everyone else shared an amused chuckle with each other that confirmed the same thought echoing in their minds. A perfect time to power nap. Especially if their host would be this excitable the whole day.


    This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    <hr><hr>


    By the time Sophie and Aryana woke back up once more, they were joined by Yana who had blissfully slept past the morning’s rude awakening. She fluttered around Aryana’s head, settling atop the girl’s scalp almost as if she was burrowing into a nest. She shot Sophie a dirty look as a reminder for the horror that she had been subjected to last night, though the half elf didn''t seem to notice. Miffed, Yana stretched her arms and curled up in the cozy redhair, taking pleasure in how the the girl’s firm but still smooth strands acting more like a light quilt than she had expected. Aryana herself seemed perplexed by Yana’s choice of transport, but made no move to shove her off, and Yana smirked with satisfaction. Acceptance.


    Secure in her reign, Yana relaxed and allowed herself to be carried along, seeing the addition of the extra face that the others had talked about on their way down. This stranger had long straight brown hair that ran down to her back. Yana’s nose wrinkled at the scent of something unfamiliar and more aggressive than she was used to. While Aryana and Sophie used more herbal balms or softer scents in their baths that allowed them their distinctive scents, this one felt more artificial. Like it was a bouquet of flowers that had been blended together with a hint of something else that bound it all into a just beyond natural scent. It wasn’t unpleasant per se, but Yana still huffed in annoyance at having to get used to something new.


    There was a general air of merriment that Yana enjoyed, seeing how everyone else’s faces including the false Sophie’s light up at words being exchanged. Her own mind drifted to the sights around them as they headed out. How the morning sun was partly obscured by the clouds, how the chilly breeze of winter danced hand in hand with the faint warmth of the sunlight. Unlike the haunting wind tunnels of the underground where even the luminescent crystals would tremble against the omnipresent darkness. Here, she watched with unbridled joy at how trees rustled in the wind, how banners flapped gayly against the sunlit gray skies. A faint dusting of snowy powder also sprinkled itself across the land, a cold bit landing against her skin and by extension Aryana’s scalp. Both girl and faerie flinched at the sudden cold, but Yana’s eyes drifted into distant memories.


    Her mind began recalling the almost vanished fragments of her past. Of quiet moments when snow once covered her wings, or the titanic struggle of flying against the headwinds of a fast approaching rain storm. Her eyes were now downcast, the foggy memories barely reappearing as only thoughts of the uncountable years she spent underground still floated around. The sad thoughts of dark, shadowy rock that dotted almost every part of the lands below. Her attention was drawn down to her host, and she wondered what fate had allowed her contact with one of the rare few souls that had a connection to the spirits, happened to be underground, and also filled with an unrelenting kindness. But that wasn’t the whole package.


    Her expression darkened as she discreetly glanced at Sophie. An elf like being in appearance only, but whose soul and insides churned with a substance foreign to the world. She was like an anathema to the very concept of life and death. While many wouldn’t be able to sense it, those with particular connections to the world itself could, including her. A dark taint that clawed hungrily at the fabrics of reality, nipping at the edges all the while unaware of the damage it causes. Yet, it was with this that her saviour had bound herself too. Worse, they engaged in mindless copulation, strengthening their bond at her own mental expense. Yana shivered at the thought.


    But there was a kindness present, that much she wouldn’t deny. A sliver of hope amidst the darkened soul. Even the ‘sister’, a being of pure alien nature, seemed relatively well adjusted. Then there were the two denizens of shadows, each devoted to one of the sisters. Yana’s thoughts were disrupted when Aryana leaned in for a kiss, leaving the faerie’s world turning sideways as the girl and the elf locked lips.


    Annoyed, she turned her thoughts back to the wondrous sights of the surface. She delighted herself with every strange sight or sound. More than once she caught herself simply staring at the people that passed by. Though few and far between, animal-like beastfolk wandered the streets, putting to use their superior physiques in more strenuous labour. A few even walked around with retinues around them, though perhaps with less gusto than their human counterparts. They were, however, far outnumbered by the incredible amount of humans wandering the streets. It was like a tidal wave of tall peoples that Yana could scarcely remember ever seeing so much of. Even the dwarves at least, had the decency to be short and stocky as to not obstruct her view of the surroundings. The surface world is incredible.


    Yana desperately wanted to spread her wings and zip around the place, but she knew that she was already asking for a lot simply by being around. She wondered what the people around her saw. For most it would be like her presence amongst the dwarven clans, a mote of light, potentially a spell cast by annoying magic users that now rested atop Aryana’s head. For others, perhaps a more nature minded beastfolk, they might see her for who she really was. Yet, as she glanced around, none had reacted. A not unexpected but altogether disappointing display.


    “Umm… so I hope I’m not being weird or, umm, anything. But, why do you have a light above your head?” The brown haired strange girl asked.


    Yana watched, bemused as the group seemed to look to each other for answers. Aryana, her erstwhile helper and bringer of the light was the first to speak.


    “Ahh, that. It’s just dwarven magic, it just sparks up sometimes. Don’t mind it much, Alodie.” Aryana replied.


    Alodie was still filled with wide eyed curiosity but seemed to accept that fact. Yana, on the other hand, was fuming. Dwarven magic? Dwarven magic?! I’m just dwarven magic?!


    With a tiny rage filled growl she gently but firmly began beating at Aryana’s scalp with anger. She ignored the fact that her little taps seemed to be eliciting stifled laughter more than anything resembling a coherent response. Even Aryana seemed to shudder from an amused giggle rather than righteous pain at calling her a dwarf. It was the most vexing of conundrums, she needed to deliver vengeance, but she could not use her powers to hurt her now estranged but dependable assistant.


    “Why, uhh, why is everyone trying not to laugh? Did I… did I say something weird?” Alodie asked, a little more nervously this time.


    Sophie and Aryana both shook their heads and finally let out a giggle, prompting the others to also chuckle slightly.


    “Okay, so brace yourself a little, alright?" Sophie said.


    Alodie nodded.


    "When Ary said dwarven magic, that might be a lie. It’s actually a faerie, you know, the stuff you read in stories or hear about in folktales?” Sophie spoke.


    “Faerie? Like, one of the fae? They’re real?!” Alode gasped.


    “Yup! And one of them’s sitting on Ary’s head right now. They usually look like wisps or lights from what I gather, but uh… I guess Ary calling it ‘dwarven magic’ was not well received, heheh.”


    “O-oh? So the fae are real? You just have one there? How?!”


    “Long story, we’ll tell you over lunch.” Sophie grinned, “But uh, just so you know, it’s currently trying to batter Ary but well…” Sophie held up some of her fingers, “They’re only about this big so… it looks… I think she’s glaring at me.”


    Which was indeed the truth. For while Yana relented slightly, her message successfully conveyed to Aryana. She had heard the false elf’s words and now stared at her with renewed fury in her eyes. How dare you! I am not that small!


    Yana fluttered her wings angrily and everyone including Alodie noticed how Aryana’s hair seemed to magically start moving. The redhead held on to make sure her braid didn’t come loose and Yana quickly froze at attention being shot at her. Oops.


    Alodie at least, seemed to finally realise that she wasn''t being tricked, that there was something there. Though the group simply brushed it off, Yana could feel the occasional glances that girl threw at her. Every time she did so however, reminded the faerie of Sophie. Thus, in turn, she would take the glances with pride, before shooting more dirty looks at the half elf who seemed to have already dismissed her presence.


    Her angry glares at Sophie came to an abrupt halt when the party finally entered the main square. Whatever reservations Yana had left quickly dissipated as she spent every fiber of her being to try and drink in all the new sights and sounds around her. Banners and posters decorated the outsides of the mostly hexagonal town center, a massive fountain and water feature flanked by marble statues stood proudly in the center. Around them, music, food and fairground games were set up, all with scores of already awake locals and tourists crowding around them. At the edges of the hexagon were several stages with performers either already in motion or setting up for a stage show.


    Yana saw two groups of musicians and bards gearing up for the day to come, a plethora of instruments besides them. A dance troupe practiced their routines on another stage as a magician began some low level tricks, saving his biggest reveals for midday. Between the platforms, various food carts and other game stalls were set up to take advantage of the occasion. Joining the festive environment were a large group of priests and preachers who took the time and extolled the virtues of the Astral church and to honor the Saints that this world had been gifted. To Yana’s surprise, many of the masses, including even Sophie, offered mumbled words of thanks and prayers in response to the calls of the priests.


    It baffled Yana that so many would be celebrating what was essentially just another day in their lives, and to do it on a cold winter’s day at that. They even look happy to be out here on such a day! Though, I suppose this is why I wanted to look at the surface world. So many strange things. Yana stole a peak at Sophie and sighed, I guess I can handle being around her if  we keep seeing new things. She cozied herself a little more within Aryana''s hair and kept scanning the festival grounds, a slight smile tugging at the edge of her lips.