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A lot of detail, indeed.
Too much.
It’s disturbingly correct.
I actually recognize some of the citizens. These are real people who exist in the Night Realm as I know it.
Noticing my frown, Ro prods, “What? What’s wrong?”
“Something isn’t adding up.”
“Is it the normalcy? It’s weird to witness such a mundane day after what we’ve been through.”
“That’s not it. See that child?” I point at a lanky adolescent boy with black shoulder-length hair in dreadlocks. He’s congregating around a big fountain with some of his teenage friends. “I saved him when he was eight or so. Right after he’d learned to fly, he went too far away. He ended up stranded in the mountains because he’d exhausted himself on the way there and he couldn’t muster up the strength to get home. I had to fly the boy back to his family.”
“He looks to be about thirteen or fourteen now. When did you rescue him?”
“Recently, within the past year, which means we’re about five or six years in the future.” Thoughtful, I suck on my teeth. “But this is more than smoke and mirrors. Armand couldn’t make all this up because he doesn’t know these specific people, certain houses, and decorations. I mean,everythingis right, down to each individual cobblestone. Plus, the layout isn’t backward. It’s not a mirror image of the Night Realm.”
“What are you saying? Do you think we’re actually here?”
I shake my head. “Impossible. Armand doesn’t have the power to transport us out of the Lost Land. I don’t know how he’s doing this.”
“Well, if you’re seeing acquaintances, people you love might be here, too.”
Ro’s optimistic comment fills me with euphoric joy.
I might be able to be with my fellow warriors again. Torius. King Kirian and Queen Quinn. Even if they are part of an illusion, I’m excited at the thought of seeing them.
As I study the residents of Delaveria, I note how healthy everyone is. It seems the kingdom is thriving in the future.
That wasn’t the case when I left.
When I began my mission to find Ro, all of Valora was in crisis. The people were suffering, sacrificing, and literally starving because of the curse the dark fae had put on us. No one was untouched by it, King Kirian and Queen Quinn included. They were skipping meals so others could eat. They gave their rations to their own children, the children of the city, and their best warriors to keep us strong.
I was thankful for the sustenance, but I would’ve donated my daily dinner to someone else if I hadn’t been ordered not to. King Kirian said I needed to be well enough to fight, to take on any task. And it’s a good thing I was prepared because being in good shape has allowed me to rescue Ro.
We’re getting closer to the castle.
Slowing down, I use caution as I approach a square structure that looks like a small fortress with its stone exterior and outlook towers.
“That’s the barracks, and this is a no-fly zone,” I tell Ro as I stay on the outskirts of the area. “Regular citizens aren’t allowed within this space, and a warrior might try to shoot me down if he’s new and he doesn’t recognize me.”
Fortunately, I know all these men. I’ve served with them for many decades. Some, for centuries.
Like a child on the first day of school, I can’t stop a grin from lifting the good half of my face as I wave at my friends on our way by.
“Aw,” Ro says with a smile. “You missed them.”
“It’s impossible not to when you’ve lived with them for as long as I have.”
Ro swivels her head to peer at the fortress in our rearview better. “You lived in the barracks?”
“Yes.”
“It doesn’t look very cozy.”
“Warriors don’t need much. Sharp weapons. A place to train. Meals to keep us strong.”
