For Ulma time had gone by slowly, she had decided to stay and complete her training in the god grove, but she had never quite let go of her annoyance at Revana for keeping the truth from her for so long.
Now Ulma truly understood what she had done, she had severed the bond she had with Samuel, Sonya and Erica.
Bright of course had told her that even if she had been there some things might still not have turned out for the better, but she still couldn't stop blaming herself.
What if Erica wouldn't have died if she had stayed, what if Sonya wouldn't have left the college, maybe Samuel wouldn't have been left all alone. Ulma clenched her fists and held in a scream and angrily sighed instead.
According to what date and time it currently was, it should be about eight weeks after the third years at the college would graduate.
Ulma had learned everything that Revana wanted to teach her and then had essentially told Ulma to take that knowledge and establish something greater than the God Grove they were currently in.
"Make a grove so large and amazing that even gods would open their eyes wide at the mere sight of it, a grove where all are welcome!"
That was the mission Ulma was given, and she of course already knew where it should be. Kalashigo forest, the groves that existed there already where she had trained many a times during the college years. That is the place she would make the largest city grove she could imagine.
Here Ulma stood, outside the gates turning back to take one final look at the God Grove, she couldn't help but feel a sad melancholy tune ring. She started taking the first steps towards the wooden tree bridge that connected to a barrier of fog that once passed through would take her back to the mortal plane. "HEY!" A sudden voice rang out from grove behind her.
She turned around and saw all the different friends and all the gods she had trained with all standing there to give her a farewell. But also all the animals and creatures of the grove, unicorns, dragons, fey animals, bears, and so on.
They were all waving or making noise and she gave them all a happy smile and waved as she started walking over the bridge while looking over her shoulder.
Then she finally reached the fog barrier and with a quick pause and a deep breath she finally stepped through. Once she arrived on the other side and opened her eyes she found herself at the Groves of Kalashigo.
The green pearly glitter from the pools of water could be seen in the night, the grace of the white moon was also giving a certain shine to everything, as the fireflies dotted the air and many sleeping animals could be seen.
Some looked up as they felt her presence, but quickly relaxed once they saw her and went back to their business. Her white hair shone in the reflections of the water, a child of both nature and moon.
Her hair was woven into place by green like vines forming amazing patterns, her dress dark green and made for comfort, she quickly made herself a large brown robe to cover herself with in the chilly night breeze.
She closed her eyes and took a breath of air that tasted like home. She quickly made up her mind and decided to see if she could visit the Gillfall Estate. She walked towards the nearest old tree and held out a hand and focused.
Intervowen by the pathways the tree formed a doorway that she was able to step through, once she arrived it was essentially right outside the Gillfall Estate's main buildings. She quickly turned to the tree that had opened the path on this side and placed a hand on it and mumbled a gentle "Thank you" as the portal closed.
She managed to take several steps before she was met with several spears pointed at her as a dozen soldiers surrounded her in an instant.
"Halt Intruder! Name yourself!" One of them spoke, and Ulma became quite surprised, she thought that she might be recognized but it seemed like things had changed around here. "Uhh, ehh hang on!" She muttered and quickly started rummaging through her pack.
It only made them inch their spears closer but they didn't do anything else, and finally Ulma found what she was looking for. "Found it!" She smiled and proudly presented a sigil trinket that proved she was a friend. She held it out to the one that had spoken.
He carefully took it in between his fingers and looked at it, then instantly removed his spear and nodded which made all of them lower their weapons. "I must warn you Lady that even if you have this trinket we do not like unannounced visitors and ask that you inform the household of when you will arrive prior to actually coming."
Ulma gave an awkward nod, "I haven't actually been here for quite some time, I wasn't used to the security and this many soldiers near the house! Has something recently?" She worriedly asked as the soldiers got into an escort formation.
The soldier that had spoken was the one that led the way with a notion of the hand, "Yes, a few things have indeed happened over the last year." Then the man stopped as if realizing something. "I apologize, my name is Petar, I am a Knight Captain of House Gillfall, may I know your name?"
Ulma quickly raised both hands and waved it off, "Oh no worries at all, I apologize as well! My name is Ulma Bel Askara! I am a... Friend of Samuel!" She paused awkwardly in the middle but managed to make it proper enough.
"Well then Lady Askara, I ask that you follow me and indeed - House Gillfall has become extremely rich over the last year. The young lord introduced some idéas that gave way to some interested reforms."
"Several workers and factories were aquired, and a large seabound merchant household married into the house creating a new sister house. On top of our expertise as Gryphon Riders House Gillfall has now become the richest and most powerful house in all of Rejuan."
The man paused as he opened the door for Ulma while most of the other soldiers had returned to their patrol or standing guard. "Not only that but the future lineage of House Gillfall has been secured." Petar continued, all the time he had sounded proud and happy.
It made Ulma stop in her tracks suddenly as she just entered the hall. Her eyes slightly wide as she started twiddling with her hands, hearing Petar say that made her reconsider, maybe she shouldn't come here and trample on anything and make even more mistakes.
Another voice rang out from the staircase, "Don't worry child. He doesn't have a woman in his life! He just made some stupid choices and managed to get three kids because of those choices!" Ulma could recognize the voice of Faleah anywhere.
Almost with tears in her eyes she looked towards Faleah whom was accompanied by another older man and maid with a young child. They were each holding a baby in their arms.
Ulma's heart almost skipped a beat as she finally processed the words of Faleah and tried her best to hide her relieved sigh. But Faleah didn't miss a single thing, she quickly gave one of the children to the man and walked down the steps and quickly embraced Ulma in a big hug.
"Look how beautiful you have become, and so strong you look now." She took a step back but kept her arms around Ulma and smiled proudly. Then her eyes became more somber, "Unfortunately you have come at the wrong time if you wish to meet Samuel, he is currently out and exploring the world. Oh dear child what a foolish notion you had... You could have gone to the other side of the world and just asked him to wait for you!"
"He would have waited patiently for you, or at worst he would have rushed to your side... You didn't need to shut him out, now you might have lost him forever!" Faleah spoke quietly so that no one else would hear and she gently grazed Ulmas cheeks, quickly removing the few tears so no one would see them.
"But you will always be welcome here no matter what!" Faleah hooked arms with Ulma and started guiding her in, welcoming her into her home. "This can be your home whenever you need it!" Faleah whispered and then they spent the rest of the evening together where they told one another of everything that had happened to them.
Ulma found out in detail everything that had happened after she left, it made her sad and angry but Faleah was there to lift her spirits with food and drink and honest company.
Ulma eventually ended up holding all the three children at the same time and fell asleep guarding them.