"Well Seku, today's the day you introduce yourself to your citizens and officially begin governing Io and Hala. You're going to be a busy woman from now on so, you need to do your best and keep up with everyone else, you mustn't fall behind." Looking into my clear blue eyes I finish my pep talk with a look of determination.
Knock, knock.
"Excuse me your highness, may I come in?" A feminine voice asked.
I'm curious as to who it may be this early in the morning given I had no plans of receiving any visitors.
Walking away from my mirror to the small accent chair I take a seat before I answer the woman outside my room.
"You may." My eyes fixated on the door as it's pushed open by a petite young woman. As soon as she stepped through the threshold of my door and the hallway I could feel a unsettling essence creep around exploring my chambers. Quickly the woman scans the room her green serpent like eyes making contact with mine. Immediately she's standing directly in front of me.
That was unbelievably fast, how did she do that? Just who on Ludejo is this and what do they want?
"Hello. My name is Turra Lai Kang and from this day forward i will be working as your lady in waiting. I heard there was a new member of the Family and that a servant position needed filling, I just knew I couldn't pass up such a grand opportunity. I mean seriously I work in Ahera, but since we are both new here it's going to be so much fun learning with you, your highness. I still can't believe I work for the High Family." A dreamy smile plastered in her face as she admires my living quarters.
She seems nice and very outgoing, a little intimidating at first but she sure knows how to talk it's like the words just fall out of her mouth. This girl could probably talk about anything and everything to anyone. I wonder if she holds any beneficial information.
"Turra where do you hail from?" I inquire. She's quite peculiar looking with her overly large mouth, long droopy ears, and two horns not to mention her reptilian like eyes. I'm sure she's not from Adhara, only humans are to reside there.
"Your Highness now isn't the right time to be asking such trivial questions when your big day is starting. You should be preparing to see the countries you are to rule."
Mmm She has a point I need to be revising my plans and speech.
"You are right. Now is not the proper time, I will have to be sure to ask my questions after we are done with our outing. When is our departure?"
"We leave in one hour your Highness and I shall be your informant should any questions you have arise I will be sure to answer them to the best of my ability. As I'm not versed in all aspects of Ludejo history and politics I hope the information I possess will be useful."
That's surprising I did not expect her to be my informant too.
"Tell me about Io and Hala. I would like to have some more information on them before we are to arrive." I think having some basic knowledge will be beneficial later on.
"I'm afraid my knowledge on Hala is extremely limited for I only know what was taught in school as well as some folklore and rumors. I apologize your highness. They had cut off all communications with the rest of the world and chose to live in solitary many years before I was born. So the information I possess may only be slightly reliable. However I can tell you quite about Io." Turra explained.
"That's fine I'm sure the information you have will be enough for me to go on." I assured her.
"Do you know why they cut off communications?" There's got to be a reason they decided to cut relations with the other countries no one would do that just because.
"There's a couple of rumors that's been going around not as many now that times passed but the one people believe the most is that the wolves are going extinct so they're preserving themselves. They go for a pretty penny on the market, if you know what I mean. They don't really like outsiders they try and keep their lives as private as possible because of this not many people know much about them not even the other beastmen can get information on them, let alone even get close to the island." She explains making hand gestures here and there.
"I see, tell me what you know to be true about both territories." I need reliable facts to base my ideas on if I want to succeed.
"Io and Hala were once ruled by Zelia goddess of animals, time, divination, and shape shifting. Io used to be a powerful country with Hala backing them. Both were prosperous thanks to Goddess Zelia and her blessings. It is said she was a generous goddess one that gave everything to her people but something happened here in Ahera and Goddess Zelia never returned to govern her land. Her people were abandoned and began to rule themselves.
Hala's systems began to fail immediately they weren't able to sustain themselves. While Io struggled to maintain their government and lavish lifestyle but managed to hold on long enough for the gods to send aid. Though they helped Io they never helped Hala and it was a few years after these events that they chose to cut themselves off from the rest of the world."
"I see…how long have they been isolated?"
I watched as she contemplates her answer.
"Hmmm…well, since it was during my parents youth I'd say about a millennium or so."
Youth? Just how old are her parents? No, how old is she? That's the question I should be asking myself.
"Well now they have a goddess and hopefully that will ease them as little. I know I cannot completely involve myself in their lives but I know deep in my heart I can make it so there is less hardship, for I am here to bring prosperity and protection to my people." I have to do my best for them, I need to show them the Gods have returned to their lands with the intent to love and care for them properly.
"It's about time to depart your highness."
"Alright." Grabbing my notebook i make my way to the door with Turra closely behind.
"Do you know how we'll be getting to the mortal realm?" I question.
"Yes we'll be riding on the back if a sky dragon."
"A dragon!? Here in Ahera?"
"Yes your highness, we have two species of dragon native to Ahera. The first is the common sky dragon able to frequently travel through different realms, using dimensional rifts that frequently open between Ahera and Ludejo among others. The second is the holy dragon, it's a type of sacred dragon that cannot be made into steeds for they are blessed with the magic and intelligence of the gods. Each territory has a sacred dragon created by the member of the High Family that governs them, their purpose is to bless the land in place of their ruler. You'll be able to choose your own mount not from just here in Ahera but the mortal realm Ludejo as well."
"That's amazing!" I can't wait to choose my own I wonder what creatures dwell in Ludejo.
"What did the other gods choose?" Maybe knowing their choice will help me select my own.
"Lord Sage chose a Forest dragon native to Elara and Io. Lord Arius rides a Drake he happened to come across on Esma although since he specializes in warfare he is the only one to house multiple mounts. Last but not least Lady Frey uses a Coatyl she picked out in Elara, while her husband Silven has yet to obtain one."
I see so you can choose from any location on Ludejo even if it's not within your territory.
"What species does All Mother own?" What kind of animal would the creator of all choose? It's got to be something worthy and capable.
"I don't think All Mother has one your Highness. As far as I or anyone else knows she doesn't leave the castle let alone Ahera."
We make our way out the giant marble doors I had set foot through just yesterday. Only this time I wasn't just greeted with the faint smell of blossoms but by a long golden serpent like creature. With silver spikes running down its spine and white feathers as its mane the two horned beast let out a low rumble its long golden whiskers blowing gently in the wind. So this is a sky dragon….this is magnificent.
Already on the beast Turra speaks.
"Shall I help you aboard your Highness?" Her palm outstretched and waiting for me.
Bringing my hand to hers she assists me atop the large creature where I take my seat in a black glass enclosed palanquin etched in gold. They sure know how to travel in style if I do say so myself.
"Hold on your Highness departure can be quite rocky." A smile of excitement stretched across her face as she warned me.
Taking heed of her words I grab the edge of my seat just as the humongous beast takes off.