Helen turned to see Lizzy's veiled silhouette next to Si Sanga and sighed in relief.
"My lady," Lizzy said, coming forward and Helen grabbed her hand to reassure her.
"I'm fine," she said.
"Welcome. How may I address you?" a man dressed in robes approached them. One look at him, they knew he thought her Kheal. Kheal had said they were expecting her and now he approached her out of the crowd of those who stepped out of the valley. Helen looked around to find that they were not the only ladies there. Some were led forwards with guards. She glanced slightly at Kheal who was a step behind her, then at the man approaching.
"Who might you be?" Helen asked. She could tell that Lizzy addressing her as a lady put her forward as the leader of the crew. Especially since Si Sanga was one step behind Lizzy.
"I am from the silver halls," the man said.
"A welcome party?" Helen asked, "I am called Kheal," she said and the man bowed.
"Welcome Lady Kheal. Let me show you to your residence," he said and started leading them into the city. One would think at first glance that a city this large would be noisy, but it was not. Even though it was not in any way quiet, it was not in any way noisy. They looked around the buildings carefully. Lizzy who came from Juhntt whose capital was made with stone, had never seen buildings like these. Helen had seen this kind of building style before. Large buildings made from wood, its tiled roof curved to its four-sided end like a proud elephant tusk. She had seen them before, but not on this scale. Even though quite in awe, the group did not look around at all, Helen knew she was Kheal at this moment and Kheal seemed to be from a large respected clan, she must have seen such before. Lizzy on the other hand, could see quite clearly through her veil. No matter how beautiful the city looked, it could not beat the always dead yet grand nature of the Nether halls. They were just a feast for the eyes, nothing more.
The man leading them was slightly taking in their expression. Except for the veiled girl she could not tell what kind of face she was making, the others he could see. Apart from slight curiosity, there was nothing else. He felt slightly disappointed by this. He always enjoyed the look of wonder on the faces of those who walked into the city for the first time. He knew his master had asked him to take note of anything about them, especially their leader. He was not sure if they had the right person she he had to go back and report to know.
He led them to their courtyard where three maids bowed to receive them.
"Anything you need, make sure to tell them, they will make it possible," he said and bowed away. They were all given a room, with Helen's being the largest. The courtyard was lushly decorated, with trees and fake mountains, giving off a tranquil feeling.
The moment Kheal had bathed and changed, she came over to meet Helen.
"My Lady," Kheal bowed and Helen asked her in. The two sat and the maids served tea and withdrew.
"They must by now know that I am here" Helen said and Kheal nodded. They both knew that this courtyard was given to them and there could be opportunities for the hosts to listen in.
"You gave your pet name, my lady. If they figure that out on their own that means your family is here," Kheal said and Lizzy looked up at her.
"Did you hear anything?" she asked.
"Just my speculation. Word is; your father had a son two years after you had left. Many assume he will be heir," Kheal said and Helen raised a brow.
"It is but a dream. He needs the inheritance that took you years to be ready to get, my lady. He cannot rule without it," Kheal said.
"Still, Brother would not help the silver halls attack me," Helen said.
"It is not sure that it is he. But the clan should send someone out to take you back when you descend the mountain, my lady," Kheal said.
Sure enough, the man who had led them to their quarters had hurried back to report. He approached the screen in an elaborate yard and bowed.
"My Lord, I have sent my guest to their quarters, the leading lady calls herself Kheal," he said and got no reply from inside, but bowed and left. The servant after him came forward to report but was told to leave.
"Lord Aldru?" a large man behind the screen asked the young man before him.
"It's her. Kheal is a pet name," he said and the old man laughed.
"You say you will not help us stand against her, yet you tell us her identity, you are an odd one," the large man laughed, his chest and middle shaking as he laughed. The young man only sipped his tea without a response.