She was awakened by the warm ray of light brushing through her cheek. She pulled the blanket to cover her face but it didn't help because it was too thin. She pouted and quickly sat on the bed.
She fell asleep while reading the book and forgot to close the window last night. Two days had been exhausting for her. Jolene made her memorize all the names of the elders and the women in the royal court. She couldn't believe that the King of Elysium had mistresses and all of them were living in the palace.
From morning till night, she memorized their names and faces. She remembered all those living in the palace from the highest position, the King, up to those working as servants. Jolene reminded her to be kind to everyone and avoid any conflict with anyone to gain their trust. She would have to know the difference between those true to her and those who were just faking their actions toward her.
To lessen her exhaustion, she would read the book until she fell asleep. Today was the day she would have to enter Elysium. She took a deep breath and got out of bed to prepare herself. Jolene would join her to the kingdom, but would have to stay in an inn.
"How about this place? You just bought it and you said you wanted to settle in this place." She asked Jolene while having their last meal at the inn.
Jolene slightly smiled. "My sister would come later to take care of this place. It's just temporary."
She frowned. "Don't you think it's about time you tell me the reason you wanted to go to Elysium?"
Jolene stood up and walked toward the kitchen counter and sighed. Then she turned to her.
"Do you remember I told you about my kid?" Jolene asked.
She nodded. "The one you adopted in the orphanage in Zedora?"
Jolene sat back on the chair and took a deep breath. "She went missing three years ago. She was seventeen and had just shifted into her wolf form. She went on a run with her friends and never came back. Everyone said she ran away with her lover, but I never believed that. My husband died six months ago and I made a promise that I will find her no matter what. I've been searching for her and the last information I got was that she was seen in Elysium."
She felt Jolene's restlessness for her daughter's safety.
"But you're a Baroness so you can enter Elysium, why do you need my help?" She asked.
Jolene shook her head. "I have the lowest rank in nobility. And I am already a widow. They treat widowed women differently. I am not allowed to enter the palace for three years."
Helena recently learned that a widower must mourn for their spouse for three years. They were allowed to leave their town if they would have to live in another place to continue mourning.
"But you're also a merchant, can you go there as one?"
"No. The trade is being handled by the Duke of Elysium alone. They don't permit small-time merchants like me to do business with them. I will enter as a Baroness and live there to continue mourning. And besides, I was informed that my daughter is in the palace so I need you to look for her." Jolene continued.
Then the old woman held her hand. "I know you also have your own struggles, but you're my only hope. They allowed me to enter Elysium because I promised to stay until I finish the three-year mourning period."
She smiled and clasped her hand with Jolene's. "You don't need to worry. I will help you find her. Just give me a photo of her. You made me memorize all those names and faces but didn't even show me your daughter."
Jolene laughed and then handed her a photo of a girl with emerald green eyes and long brown wavy hair.
"Her name is Trinity. I adopted her when she was just a baby and raised her as my own. She was the sweetest child that a parent could ever have dreamed of. We never had an argument and I always make sure that I know everything about her so I would not accept that she was gone because she ran away."
She understood what Jolene felt. She never became a parent and maybe she would never experience being one. But losing someone important to you would make you feel broken. She lost her parents, her siblings and the people of her father's kingdom. And she also lost herself.
"I understand and I will make sure to find her." She said.
After breakfast, they packed their things and left. They couldn't wait for Jolene's sister because they had to be at the gate of Elysium by noon.
"Are you sure you're fine to run in that form?" Jolene asked.
She nodded. "I don't really know how to shift. And I'm used to this form so it's fine."
Jolene didn't argue and shifted. She heard the woman's cracking bones and she felt the pain as Jolene transformed into her wolf form.
"You look stupid."
She was startled when she heard someone's voice in her mind.
"It's me, Sierra. I'm Jolene's wolf."
Her eyes widened and stared at the gray wolf in front of her. She was beautiful and her eyes were like the lush green valley, it's calming.
"Oh, you can talk!" She exclaimed.
"Of course, I can talk but only using a mind link." Sierra said.
Werewolves never failed to amaze her. She thought when they shifted, they were either a savage beast or just a normal wolf. She didn't know they had a different name and could communicate using their minds.
They ran through the woods which was the fastest way to Elysium. She followed Sierra since she knew the route very well. It seemed Jolene had been there but was not able to enter so she searched for someone that could help her.
After almost two hours of running, they reached the gate of Elysium. As Jolene said, the security was pretty tight. There were soldiers around the gate inspecting everyone who tried to enter the Elysian territory.
She tilted her head up and then looked around. A massive wall and soldiers with bows and arrows and swords welcomed every creature who wanted to cross the gate.
"What's with the wall and soldiers?" She asked.
"It's the strongest fortress in Terraria, do you think they will just surround it with peasants and woods?" Jolene chuckled.