She had arrived at the north face before she knew it and immediately began her search for Master Mahdi. She did not have the same abilities of her master, but she could sense the presence of the dormant being by her connection with the earth. She relayed to the guardian’s most trusted ally precisely what would be required of him in much greater detail than Mahdi had heard previously. They reached an understanding, and she left the mountain by taking off into the air and circling around the snowcapped peak of Lamont, and then she made for the cliffs of the High Plains of Landen. I will walk in so I do not cause them alarm. I am sure that they have heard of Kana’s flying demon and would not take kindly to an aerial approach.
Khalida alighted on the ground and walked resolutely toward the cliffs on the northwestern corner of Landen as the sun began to set on another clear day. The eagle like creature she had been on disappeared. It was crazy that the weather was so clear here while unnatural storms were blanketing the rest of Tuwa. Everywhere there was a conflict there were black clouds. She could also sense the traces of magic in the air from its heightened use over the past few weeks. The elements will be unavoidably altered by this war; that much is certain. I must work swiftly now if I am to save any part of the lands.
She saw the sentry guards at their posts stiffen as she approached. The guards were trying to figure out who or what she was as she continued to walk toward them. She could sense their fear and trepidation, so she sent out a soothing magical web to calm their heightened senses. She did not want them to act rashly and do something they would regret. Just because she was visiting King Leroy Ishrafle to discuss the alliance of the races of men, elves, dwarves, and giants did not mean that she particularly cared for the people of Landen. They had always abused their position in Tuwa and had not done their part to prevent this war and would most likely blame the guardians as they always did.
“Hail guards of Landen; it is I, Mistress Khalida.” She introduced herself to the sentries. She bowed as she uttered her pleasant greeting.
“Halt! Stay where you are!” ordered one of the guards timidly. He was shaking in spite of himself.
“You have no need to fear me. I am not the one you were told to watch for. Do you really believe that she would just walk right up to you? She would probably swoop down out of the sky on her winged beast and let it eat you both for merely being at your posts,” replied Khalida pointedly. She did not have the patience to placate these fools, and time was of the utmost importance.
“What are you saying?” stammered the other guard.
“I am saying that I am on your side. Now, please do not waste any more of my time. Inform your king that I am here to speak with him. I am representing the guardian council,” she said with an icy edge to her voice.
“We will notify him at once!” shouted one of the guards out of fright. He had not meant to yell, but his nerves were on edge, and he could not control his volume.
“Thank you,” replied the powerful guardian smoothly. She walked toward a chair by the sentry post and took a seat. She stared off into the distance and pondered exactly how she should approach King Leroy about what would be required of him. These high plains are the perfect natural defense against the hordes of Kana. The king must let us use his land as a defensive shield for the besieged peoples of Tuwa.
After a few minutes of silence, the guard who had shouted returned from sending the message from Khalida to the king. He had sent the message with a rider and instructed them to make haste. He wanted the situation to sound urgent because he wanted desperately to be out of the presence of this mysterious lady. The guard had heard tales of the guardians before, and they all depicted them as violent creatures that did not care one bit for the races of Tuwa. His view was not the popular perception of the Elementals, but it did represent a segment of people who would not help a guardian in their cause. She simply ignored the sentry as he resumed his post with his back to her. She laughed softly at his childish mannerisms and turned her attention away from the brooding guard to the other sentry who had managed to keep himself composed in her presence.
“What news has reached your ears regarding the events taking place outside your country?” she asked him quietly.
“The word is that demons from the north have begun to take over the lands. They say that devils have attacked our neighbors in Nairi,” the guard replied in hushed tones. He had a much higher opinion of the powerful guardian than his counterpart.
“Devils indeed…,”replied Khalida thoughtfully. The aggressors in these attacks are definitely displaying devilish traits. I wonder if the demons in the north have ventured outside their realm and decided to try and take over the lands again.
“Malady, could you tell me what is going on out there?” he asked hesitantly. “I do not share my friend’s view of you, and I would like to hear what you have to say on the matter.”
“I will tell you this much. You need to be prepared for anything. War is brewing again in Tuwa, and once again your country will need to be the stronghold for the races of good. I do not believe you need to worry yourself about demons or wraiths of the north. Beware the exiled races,” she said ominously. She gave the sentry a very meaningful look that told him very plainly that difficult times were on their doorstep.
A mounted messenger returned the following day with the request for an audience with Khalida immediately. The graceful guardian stood up and smiled at the messenger turned escort. Another horse had been brought back with the king’s messenger so that the guest could ride in haste to the meeting. King Leroy had sent his own steed to carry Khalida back to his court. The stallion was lord of all the white stallions in Tuwa. He was a beautiful beast that espoused grace and power. She was impressed by this gracious gesture. Her feelings about meeting with the king became much warmer and more positive in light of this token. This king surprises me with his generosity and his acceptance of the magnitude of the current situation. He is much more intelligent than I would have thought for a man.
As she rode toward the heart of Landen, they passed several villages and towns that were bustling around as though everything was normal. They had no real idea what horrors awaited them. They did not know that all of the races of Tuwa were drawing closer to an all-out war. She pitied them because their simplistic lives were about to be altered at her request. The fair plains of Landen were going to be full of refugees and armies from other countries. If the raging battles developed into war, the High Plains would be the place where the future would be decided. That was why she had to come now instead of later. In order for the outcome to be in her favor, and in favor of the good peoples of Tuwa, she would need to have the country of Landen prepared for all-out war before any army even drew near its borders.
After traveling for some miles, a huge city rose high on the horizon. A massive castle that looked more like a citadel gleamed in the sunlight as it sat imperiously in the very center of Brel. That was the name of the capital city of King Leroy’s domain. Before too long Khalida and her escort passed its outer wall and entered the main thoroughfare. There were little shops lining both sides of the street, and merchants were calling out the specials for the day. Little groups of children were running back and forth across the road and in between the stores. The sight of such normalcy and youthful joy caused the guardian to feel more hesitant about the information that she was going to impart to their king. Their lives would be irrevocably changed from this war, and those that lived to see the end of it would never be the same again. I will make sure Kana pays for what I am about to do. She will be made to suffer for destroying the lives of the good peoples of Tuwa. They will never have the same peace they have known their entire lives.