The 12th Hour
They climbed back into the carriage after changing into dried clothes. No one argued with Kaelith, not even Nyla. Alya wrung out her sleeves and spread them next to Nyla's and Kellan's, then sat beside Nyla who wrapped an arm around her.
Like her powers, Nyla nurtured. She'd always been protective of Alya. Although Alya hadn't gotten to spend much time with Sapphire, she felt the love and care of her long-lost family through Nyla and Kellan.
The mood eased eventually. Aside from the intermittent bickering between Nyla and Kellan, they rode the rest of the way in silence. It was as if the gravity of the journey ahead had finally settled and engraved itself in their fears and uncertainties.
"There!" Kellan exclaimed. "Kragmoor. We've arrived."
Nyla and Alya jumped up from where they'd been fast asleep and ran to the window. Kaelith, who'd been awake the whole time, looked distinctly unenthused.
The rider brought the carriage down, since the road toward the gate was surrounded by high mountains and too narrow to fly through. They climbed out and walked the short distance to stand before the huge, dark gates of Kragmoor, standing high on a rocky cliff above them.
"How are we supposed to get up there?" Alya asked, tilting her head back.
Kaelith conjured a bigger glide. "Get on, Pure Tide."
Alya looked at him, hesitated, probably expecting him to snap at her or make a witty remark.
"Well, it was going to happen if I kept staring at his hand," she thought, taking it as she stepped onto the cold, icy slab.
"You two aren't getting on?" she asked.
Nyla and Kellan looked at each other and smiled.
Kellan looked up at the hill, bent his knees, and sprang, launching himself into the air before landing cleanly at the top.
Alya grinned. Even after seeing it that morning, she was still in awe seeing a being jump that high, unassisted.
She looked back down at Nyla, who flicked her wrist. Light spilled from her fingers, and green vines shot up from the ground under her feet. She climbed as they grew, spiraling upward in slow circles, carrying her the rest of the way up.
Familiar as it was by now, Alya still laughed, delighted.
Suddenly the glide lurched, and Alya faltered. Kaelith caught her around the waist. She spun back and grabbed his shoulders to steady herself.
The intensity of his eyes caught her off guard. They were clear and blue, the color of open sky, surrounded by white.
Kaelith looked away first, up toward the hill, and slowly guided them upward in spirals.
On arrival, Kaelith knocked on the gate. A hulking creature between a man and a rhino appeared at the peephole. His eyes went wide the moment he saw Kaelith, and the gate groaned open soon after.
Beyond it stretched a huge expanse of land filled with tall trees, wooden structures built both on the ground and up in the branches, and a wide clearing where different species sparred, some on land, some in the air, some in the water.
Another rhino-like creature approached Kaelith, and they clasped elbows in greeting.
The creature led them down the lane. Most of the fighters stopped to stare. Some whispered to each other. A few used the distraction to land a hit on their opponent. Many of the men and women eyed Kellan and Kaelith as they passed.
Many looked at Nyla the same way. When Alya met a few eyes of her own, some looked at her with wonder, some closer to scorn, and some looked away entirely, the whispers rising all around her.
The creature led them to a huge tent. Inside, a man and a tall, slim woman stood surrounded by armored warriors, all of them bent over a battle plan spread across the table.
The man looked up first, saw Kaelith, and broke into a grin.
"If it isn't my star pupil, Kaelith." He came around the table and clasped elbows with him the same way. "To what do I owe the visit of the prince of the elf realm?"
Alya's eyes went wide. She glanced sideways and found Nyla and Kellan looking just as stunned.
They hadn't known either.
"My father sends his greetings," Kaelith said.
"It's an honor to have you here again. And who are your friends?"
"It was on such short notice, but the grand leader of Veyloria has sent…"
"…the Pure Tide," the leader finished, his eyes landing on Alya.
Everyone in the room gasped.
"Yes," Kaelith said. "We ran into a storm on the way here. It wasn't natural. It came out of nowhere, and it must have followed us."
The leader's expression turned grim. "We felt Nyxara too. We didn't know why. Not until now." His eyes stayed on Alya. "She's so young." He walked toward her.
"It's a great pleasure to meet you, sir," Alya said, bowing awkwardly.
She glanced sideways and caught Kaelith watching her, one eyebrow raised.
"The pleasure's mine, child." He touched her jaw gently. "In all my hundred years, I never believed I'd live to see the next Pure Tide. What is your name, young one?"
"Alya… sir?" she said, unsure how she was even supposed to address him.
Kaelith choked back a laugh from where he stood. Nyla sent him a death glare.
"Welcome to Kragmoor, Alya." He bent to meet her eyes. "You carry a lot on your shoulders for someone so young." He held her gaze a while, then straightened and turned to the room.
"Gather everyone. The thousand-year battle is about to begin!"