her clothes and armor would be ready in a few hours. “The blacksmith will also make you a sword for battle,” one of the brown Elves said.
Remliel thanked them, then left with Taylodrin. He led her out of the palace and into one of the courtyards. There, the Archangel relaxed on a bench, looking around at the beautiful nature. There were small berry bushes lining the perimeter of the courtyard, and a few saplings dotted across the lawn. The grass was long, with red and white mushrooms poking up in a few places. The bench that Remliel sat on was made of wooden logs, and there was a cobblestone circle in the middle of the courtyard where the sun's light fell perfectly throughout the day. Birds chirped from the branches of the saplings, there were various insects crawling along the grass, and a brown bunny inched its way out from the underbrush of the bushes.
Remliel stayed in the courtyard until her clothes and weaponry was done being made. When she went back inside to try it on, she found that everything she wore grew with her when she was in her true form, and it shrunk back down with her as well. “That's thanks to some Elven magic,” Taylodrin commented as they left the small room and strolled down the right hall toward the doors of the palace. Remilel no longer wore her golden robe; she had instead a pair of brown trousers with an off-white rope belt, a white shirt that had a V-neck cut, and black boots. She had draped around her shoulders a hooded, forest-green cloak.
Upon exiting the palace, Taylodrin continued to walk with Remliel until they reached the small village that she'd spent the night in just 20 hours before. The Elf led Remliel into a small building that looked very similar to the inn from the outside. On the inside, there was a brown Elf sitting behind a desk. Behind him, the walls were lined with different papers in stands, advertising products that were for sale. “Good evening, good sir,” Taylodrin said, getting the Elf's attention. “We are looking for some provisions for a long journey. What can you give us?”
“Well, good servant of the Royalty, I have dried meats, cheeses, bread… whatever you need!”
Remliel stepped forward. “I'll have a few pieces of dried meat, a few pieces of cheese, and a single loaf of bread. I'd also like to purchase a flask of water.”
The brown Elf retrieved these things for her, putting them all neatly into a black satchel. He handed the satchel to her, and Taylodrin payed with golden and silver coins. The brown Elf wished them well, and they left the store.
It was nightfall when they stepped out into the town. The Archangel didn't wish to sleep, for she didn't need it unless she'd spent a lot of her energy. So, Taylodrin walked her down the same path she'd entered on. She watched the cobblestone slowly turn into dirt, and finally, they reached the edge of the woods. “I included a map in your satchel,” the Elf said kindly. “Just in case you might need it.”
“You've been a great host to me, Taylodrin,” Remliel said, smiling and placing a hand on his shoulder. “I'm very grateful to call you an ally.”
“I am grateful as well,” the Elf responded. “Have a safe journey, Remliel. Remember, the Southern Woods will always be a home to you.”
At that, the Archangel parted from the Elf. She walked a few yards before turning back to take one last look at the woods. She turned her gaze to the path, but Taylodrin was nowhere to be seen. She smiled to herself and pulled out the map, looking at the handwriting of the Elves. She saw a signature in the bottom right-hand corner: Taylodrin's.
She looked up from the map, then back down. She figured she needed to head North toward the Kingdom of Iqocan next. So, she summoned her wings, which stretched far above her head in their majestic, golden splendor. She flapped them a couple of times to wake up the muscles, then lifted herself up into the air. She swooped up and down, happy to be flying for the first time. Finally, she rushed North, her cloak flying in the air behind her, tied around her neck with nothing but a small white rope.
She reached the border of the Kingdom of Iqocan at sunrise. The gates to the main city faced the South, away from the sunrise, whereas she recalled the Elven path facing the North. “It's because they worshipped the sun,” Remliel recalled aloud.
The Archangel looked at the city from the sky. She saw a grand, white palace in the center of the village, and the buildings got smaller and more separated as they furthered from the castle. She saw a single road from the front gate that branched off into a few smaller paths. This single road led all the way up to the palace, which stood on elevated ground above the rest of the city. The road was lined with small shops and stands, where the merchants sold their wares. Behind the palace, there were only a few rows of houses that were very spread apart, then there was a large, wide field full of various crops. The palace was separated from the city by a moat, and there was a circular guard wall around the palace itself. Inside the walls of the tower, there were three small buildings.
Remliel sighed, then lowered herself to the ground. She hid her wings and walked up to the front gate, declaring herself. “I come in peace," she yelled, hoping someone would hear her. “I wish to speak to your King!”
The gates, tall and made out of splintered wood that matched that of the wall, opened for her. She saw two guards standing on the opposite side of the gate, presumably the ones who had let her in. She didn't know why, but she felt nervous going into the kingdom of Men. She wondered if they'd be as friendly and caring as the Elves. She walked through the rickety gate, realizing that it silently closed behind her.
Chapter Two
She turned around and looked at the closed gate, then rotated back toward the two guards. They were dressed in white shirts, black pants, and black boots. They had their swords unsheathed, standing non-threateningly with them before her. “You wish to speak with our King,” the one on the right said. “Why is this?”
“I have news about Tetrasiel, the Archangel.”
The guards looked at one another, then they turned their attention back to her. “Why do your eyes look like his? Are you his accomplice?"
“No, although we are related.” She paused. “Why is this business of a guard? Take me to your King, now."
They turned and walked her up the path, through the cluster of homes. She looked around and didn't see many people around. There were a few women at home with their children, but most houses stood empty.
As they neared the palace, the road came up to the marketplace. This was where all the people were; they were selling and buying their wares. The crowd did not part for the soldiers, and they had to push their way through the large group of Men. Finally, they walked up the small hill to the castle.
It was made of white stone, with four turrets on the corners of the guard wall. They crossed the drawbridge, over the moat, and upon looking closer into the body of water, Remliel saw many species of fish, all of which were dangerous.
The soldiers led Remliel into the courtyard outside of the palace. Unlike the Elven courtyard she'd spent the day in before, the ground was made of dirt, and there were townspeople and servants scattered about. The two men who'd led Remliel in stopped and turned to her. “This is where we part,” they said. “Our job is to guard the front gate. You will go in through the palace doors, and ask to see the King.”
At that, they left, going back through the guard wall, down the drawbridge, and through the crowd of people in the marketplace. Remliel turned her attention back to the palace, and walked confidently toward the doors. She entered, the heavy iron doors opening for her when she pushed on them.
The palace looked like that of a cathedral. The ceilings were high, with wooden beams visible. The floors were made of a pastel green
