“Take some time to view the starry sky from time to time, you’d be surprised how it could take your mind off the worldly troubles that pestered our daily existence. I often wonder what our ancestors, who had less such issues to think about, thought when they viewed the stars above?” - Last words of Gregorius Aurelius Secundus, Second Emperor of the First Elmaiya Empire.

Much like Cal had expected, Willa had snuck out shortly after the feast ended even though the celebration was still ongoing. That she snuck out with around half a dozen of the village youngsters - of both genders - around her age was just about in line with Cal’s expectations too.

Ognar also snuck away with some young female villagers before the night was through, while others retired one by one as the night went on. Vark and Krystal had retired the earliest as they brought Ilena to bed, with Ida trotting behind them obediently.

Some of the group partied until the end though, and Cal couldn’t help a smile forming on her lips as she saw Leila, Giselle, Elaina, and Sidonie fast asleep as they lay on the sandy soil of the beach with their backs propped against Lumi’s torso, who also slept while curled protectively around them. They had so much meat that the villagers had even cooked portions for Lumi and Ida as well, both of whom were all too happy to feast on the offered meat.

A couple hours after midnight, only Cal and Kyara were awake at the beach that served as the venue for the party, with piles of drunk and sleeping villagers strewn all over the place around them. Both women sat down on the sand as they sipped on some hard liquor and looked at the clear, starry sky above them.

The two moons happened to be full on that particular night - a rare occurrence that only happened once every couple decades - and their light made the night brighter than usual. Even so, the clear skies gave a majestic view of the twinkling stars that dotted its expanse. Both Cal and Kyara just appreciated the view for a while as they drank in silence in the dead of the night.

“I guess this is where we say our goodbyes then?” Cal asked quietly at the therian matron, Chieftess of the Hidden Tribes, and the Champion of Ash. She had honestly quite enjoyed her company over the past couple of years, and it was amusing to see Ashani’s reaction to the cities they visited.

“It’s been a couple of years since I brought Ashani out, so it’s about time to return home for us,” replied Kyara with a wistful sigh. “My boy Koru got things pretty decently in hand, so maybe I’ll abdicate in a few more years and let him handle the tribes in my stead, then maybe I’ll go around the world some more.”

“Just a shame that you’d miss out on my godson’s wedding,” said Cal as she sipped on the strong, sour liquor in her wooden cup. Cal had brought both Kyara and Ashani over to Al-Shan for short trips during the winters before, but it was just a quick visit back then. “It’d be a pretty grand one too.”

“Needs must, I guess. I still have my responsibilities as the chieftess after all,” said Kyara with a smile. “Ashani definitely liked being outside, though. I don’t think she had her fill of adventure yet. Think I could trouble you to keep her around for a bit more?”

“Sure, I wouldn’t mind,” said Cal with a nod at the request. “She’s a nice girl anyway.”

“Many thanks,” said Kyara. “I guess I will see you during the next conclave of Champions then. I look forward to it.”

“Yeah,” replied Cal. She had pretty much decided by then on how to deal with the offer given to her, but much like what Dalorian and Rosalind said, she had time, and it wouldn’t hurt to see the last bit of nagging worry she had resolved first. “Will probably still be some months away though.”

“Take your time, Cal,” said Kyara with a kindly smile. “After all, we have all the time in the world.”

********************************

The party departed from the village of the Hidden Tribes several days later, as this time they cut through the forest towards the north. Several of the younger villagers led by Nerun had escorted them through the woods near the village, before they said their goodbyes. Ashani had hugged her uncle and friends who had come along to send her off and thanked them as well.

From there, it was another week’s journey through the forest before they emerged from its depths and reached the more inhabited periphery regions of the island. They discovered that they emerged a bit westwards from their intended destination, and traveled east along the shorelines for another half a day before they reached a larger village with a port.

There, they waited another couple days, partly resting and partly because no boats were scheduled to leave for the next island of their itinerary until that time. When the time came, they boarded the sailboat along with other passengers and merchants and left Greenmeadow Isle for their next destination, Mistweave Isle.

Even from afar, it was easy to tell why the island was named that way, as a light mist seemed to cover most of the island, and even part of the sea near it. Mistweave Isle was known for the active volcanoes that dotted the island, which erupted every couple centuries or so, and the constant geothermal heat from the lava had kept many springs further up the mountains in a roiling boil, which caused the constant misty state of the island.

Unlike most of the other islands in the Western Isles, Mistweave Isle had made its living as a tourist resort, its many hot springs believed to be able to cure various ailments and good for one’s health. It was still the height of summer, so Cal planned to spend the month or so of time they still had to relax on the isle, before they left for the final isle further north where she had scheduled her appointment with Arquivaldo in the autumn.