[Book II Chapter 60] SARAH: Homecoming

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From the front deck of the flagship, Sarah watched the approaching swarm of griffins. The demonic beasts dived towards her screeching a war cry. The first dozen crossed an unseen barrier and were torn apart by thousands hypersonic blades. The rest swerved away, hovering confused as the pulverized remains of their brethren fell to the earth. Eventually, a more adventurous one tried hurling a boulder, which was also quickly reduced to pebbles then sands by the violent winds.

They’re dead. The defenses protecting the airship convoy weren’t a passive thing. When attacked, they would retaliate, and Sarah felt it, the ‘destined death’ headed towards their aggressors. Thousands of invisible teeth clamped down on the demonic beasts, chewing every last one to a mulch.

“Appreciating my work?” Came a voice behind her. “I must say, I have seen few study my ‘hungry air’ so intently.”

“August Terrance.” Sarah lowered her head to the immortal who joined her. “You live up to your title.” The ‘Severing Air’, one of the Isle’s famous paragons, was escorting her back home.

“What can I do for you?” She asked.

“Nothing,” August smirked. “Since we are about to arrive, I just thought I would keep you company as you handle your first crisis as Tulven’s new ruler.”

“What do you——” Sarah stopped herself, instead focused inward. Yet, try as she might to follow the threads of fate, she saw no threats, only desperate people clamoring for aid. So many of them…

August smiled at her uncertainty. “These will be the first passenger ships arriving in Tulven in a week. There’s room for twelve hundred. Only that many.”

Sarah grimaced. Mount Gull had launched a major offensive, and the whole region was in chaos. The adventurer’s guild was focusing its resources on the towns and villages inside the Twisted Lands. Larger nations on its outskirts were expected to manage on their own. Astra arranged this convoy specially for me.

Leaving the tumbling shards of earth, they passed over fortification, and a pair of wyverns flew over to escort them. Open fields stretched out around them. I’m home.

Tulven was a long swath of unbroken land hugging the eastern coast. Comparatively wealthy thanks to the export of water crystals, it’d served as safe harbor from the surrounding wilds prior to the Dark Age. The loss of warping isolated us.

Sarah frowned seeing the makeshift city around Torris, the southern capital. It seemed to come to life at the sight of them, with a flood of people pouring out and running towards the docks.

The harbor was mostly empty, with heavy guard blocking entry. Sarah noted a group of Barsal warships amidst the mismatch of smaller ships. A contingent of knights were waiting when they moored.

“Welcome back, your grace.” Commander Varon bowed as Sarah and August walked off. The man had long served the Godspeed family and took ceremony seriously. Sarah returned the courtesy.

Varon’s eyes flickered to August. “How long are you staying?”

“We leave in a few hours.” August replied. “The time to load up passengers. Have you determined who we will take?” A clamoring was growing from those gathering outside.

Varon winced. “Your arrival was sudden, and we’ve occupied fending off the beasts’ advance… Could you give us more time?”

Stolen novel; please report.

“It’s alright.” Sarah interrupted. “I’ll handle it. Let’s go greet the people.”

“Of course, your grace.” Varon replied, his loyal eyes full of doubt.

Several thousands filled the streets at the entrance, pushing one another to move forward. Cries rang out from those spotting them, and the cacophony was so great it was hard to think.

Sarah held up Miracle Worker and channeled a fate of calm and quiet. Gradually, the noise and panic dissipated as the magic of destiny subtlety affected the minds of those present. She then climbed atop the stone platform Varon summoned.

“There is room for twelve hundred. The ones boarding will be refugees from Rosaria who my brother died protecting.” This was the solution she’d settled on. There was mumbling but no objections from the crowd. Everyone recognized who she was.

“I’m from Rosaria!” Yelled a man.

“Me too.” Shouted a women.

“Fate will determine the truth.” Sarah declared. Again, she poured power into her staff, materialized golden bubbles. Find the Rosaria’s survivors, she willed. One by one, the bubbles burst revealing golden fairies. The sprites flew out and dove into certain individuals, causing them to glow a yellow light. With a sense of wonder, the masses parted to let the chosen forward.

“Can you really keep this up?” August asked behind her.

“I can.” Sarah responded. With this staff. Miracle Worker was a catalyst of unparalleled power.

Some tried to grab the fairies, but their hands passed right through. The street gradually emptied as the ineligible turned back. While this eased Sarah’s burden, she was barely standing when the selection was done.

“Superb job.” August declared, eying her carefully. “As you are aware, I’m close to Lily Morgana and, as such, hold you in low regard. I was against your return here, believing you belong somewhere else. We’ll see if I was wrong.”

Sarah watched the immortal depart. He doesn’t trust me, and I can’t really blame him.

“What happened on the Isle of Dreams?” Varon asked cautiously. “Both your brother and mother avoided the subject.”

“Another time.” Sarah replied. “I need to rest.”

“I’m afraid that’s not possible.” Varon said apologetically. “Adele Barsal, the Morning Sun, asked me to bring you to her as soon as you landed. It sounded important.”

“Fine, lead the way.” Sarah sighed.

Varon’s countenance grew conflicted as they walked. “I must admit I offered little resistance when Adele arrived and took command of Tulven’s defenses. We were——”

“It’s alright.” Sarah cut in. “It was the right choice after mother left.”

On intuition, Sarah glanced back towards the docks. A ghostly figure stood at the entrance, staring straight at her. Why must I be haunted by old men? She lamented. Several times a day, she felt Xavier’s presence. She had no idea what the apparition wanted, but his judging gaze unnerved her in a way Radin never had. She imagined this would continue as long as she possessed Miracle Worker.

The castle was a majestic edifice reminiscent of those in Aery. Adele was waiting by the table in the conference hall. With a salute, Varon left them alone.

Sarah chased off her fatigue and put on a smile. “I hear you have been instrumental in holding Tulven together. On behalf of everyone, I thank you deeply.”

“That’s not necessary.” Adele responded, her blond hair glistened against her dark skin. She wore a form-fitting suit of mythril body armor styled in red and white. “Andrew was a friend.”

“Still, coming yourself and even bringing troops so far from the empire…” Sarah pressed. “I’m surprised they let you go.”

Adele’s expression hardened. “They knew they had no choice. Staying in Barsal was driving me mad, and I needed a distraction. Aiding Andrew’s people was a convenient cause to devote myself to.”

This threw Sarah off. “Sorry, I’ve been distracted. Has the situation deteriorated in the empire?”

Adele crossed her arms and glowered. “Last Dark Age, Barsal Farran forswore conquering to unite humanity. The right choice at the time, this oath has come back to bite us. The war between Tanga and Benadin rages uncontrollably on border, yet he refuses to lead an invasion to quell it.”

Sarah frowned. “Won’t the conflict eventually resolve itself on its own even if you don’t interfere?”

“There isn’t time for that!” Adele exclaimed, punching the table. “Salazar Rook is back, and, while his fingerprints are appearing around Enera, they are heaviest South of the Green Hell. His patron must be there, in the lands to our west. Unfortunately, we have two countries tearing each other apart on our doorstep, preventing a proper search.”

Calming herself, Adele peered into Sarah’s eyes. “Yesterday, Anthem called me back. He’s forming a coalition to launch a military intervention without our founder’s aid. My support is essential.”

“So you’re leaving?” Sarah asked. Will there be any immortals left in Tulven?

“Tonight.” Adele nodded. “Don’t despair though, I hear saints from the cultivators on their way to help.”

“Now,” The Barsal immortal conjured a map above the table, “let me bring you up to speed on the situation.”