Chapter Nine

As they neared the end of their journey, Harmony pieced together through probing questions and simple logic that, no, not every member of Adric’s family adored and cared for him. He was such a ball of excited, happy, sunshine that he never noticed. Negativity was forgiven as a mistake, and every act could be taken in a positive light, even if maybe sarcasm was actually propping it up. She swore not to be the one who broke her pet’s heart by explaining all that to him. Bowe had to be shielding him from that reality, the coatl was smart even if not very talkative. Eventually, that harsh truth would be clear, and she’d be one of those to hold him while he faced it.

“Meeting your family will be lovely. I would like to share some tea with Rose first, girl talk.” That princess ranger was sure to be a clearer guide on how to spot and avoid any of the vipers nesting in Adric’s family tree. Harmony wished some of those letters had been addressed to her. But her letters were only addressed to Adric and completely avoided his situation. Still, she couldn't think of anyone else to consult.

“Of course, so many things to do in the capital, I’ve so many things to show you.” Harmony knew she wouldn’t have time for a grand tour her pet prince had to be envisioning. Too much to do.

The carriage slowed. While she’d never visited the capitol, she’d heard stories from the older servants at Coodly Manor about the infamous queue to get inside. Despite all the griping, they’d mention that at least they had the view. Yet here she was, stuck inside with Adric. Bates would handle the check-in, leaving her to wait until they reached their destination before departing. No leaning out and gawking like a yokel, as much as she wanted to. Maybe it was time to see how well her new skill would work sending her out into the unknown?

[Stride Before the Fall] The world spun, and the brighter morning light outside the carriage blinded her. The shift of landing into the unknown situation outside the carriage while moving caused vertigo that her movement skills worked excessively hard to counteract. The effort to [Stride] into the unknown also left both of her forms drained. Reflexively she knew where both of herselves were in relation to each other, so outside she focused on the carriage ahead moving slowly along a winding chain or travelers waiting their turn to enter the city.

Uncomfortable as Harmony’s current state was, the view was worth it. Naewauld, The city of vined spires. Where Hazeldown was a spread-out city of hills and districts, created by a natural separation of both the river it bridged and the varying elevations it spanned. Naewauld was birthed out of a flat plain, with clusters of smaller spires around a tall central collection representing the seat of the kingdom’s power. The spires were green in the morning light, so covered in vibrant vines. A prosperous gift to the land by the city’s life-based dungeon, which had always been a stark contrast to Hazeldown’s undead one. Rather than be appalled at the opposite energy of her class radiating from the city, the necromancer's sense of death eagerly looked at all that life, and wondered, how could it kill it?

No killing. The response to that was, but then they could bring it back. A ridiculous feeling since she had no resurrection skills. The unstable insanity of it all was a firm reminder to evolve and get the out-of-control aspects of her class and profession under control as quickly as possible. She had the power over her class and profession, it did not have power over her.

“Oi, you okay?” Called a farmer driving his cart overburdened with turnips toward the city as he slowed down to enter the chain of visitors.

Oh, she knew she wasn’t exactly okay. Harmony had dreaded this trip. But Naewauld was exciting and new, and a step forward after being stalled. Here it was a sparkling green gem in front of her.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

“I’m making progress. There I’ll evolve. There I’ll fix everything.” She yelled toward the now skeptical turnip farmer, feeling unburdened as the choice of her skill pressed upon her. The other her can worry, here she’ll grab that sliver of hope. “I’m great.”

With that she let go, her form dispersing as though it had never been there.

The whole experience brightened Harmony’s mood as they approached the gates. She left the bored worrying behind and ignored the odd murderous desire. Killing will be had in the dungeon, and to help Hyacinth she’d scour that place to its bones. Now was the time to look forward to new experiences. So she planned.

Ambrosia will have arranged lodging. Bates will have informed her of whatever social requirements she needed to do. A letter to the House of Lords announcing her arrival, maybe a small meeting later on. Harmony wasn’t quite sure, she’d been focused on training so hard she admittedly neglected learning the duties of her new role. The books she’d read all covered advice on how to handle people, not current protocols and procedures. Bates helped run the old manor and has had many trips to Naewauld so she was in good hands.

The lodging will be sure to have a bath, even if she could use skills to refresh herself, nothing beats a nice relaxing bath. After the quiet ride, some minor social requirements, and a nice long bath there should be plenty of time to plan diving into the dungeon Nae's Garden and exactly how to use it to grow and evolve.

A loud announcement pulled Harmony out of her thoughts, but distracted as she was she missed most of it. [Recall] had her reconstruct it.

Trumpets and then, “Naewauld welcomes Lady White, risen of Hazeldown, newest to authority!” All loud enough to be heard through the carriage which had kept outside sounds to a minimum. Harmony shot her pet prince a look.

“They have an announcement when one registers after evolving in the capitol, but it’s just the registration office ceremony.”

Harmony did her best to shrug it off. She might be a big deal in Hazeldown, but here she’s just an unevolved lady from the half-cursed city housing the undead dungeon. One loud announcement isn’t going to attract attention.

“Is that music?” Adric asks.

“She wouldn’t.” Even as she said the words she knew they were a lie. Of course, she would. Ambrosia doesn’t just pull her on top of the table to stand with her, she projects her larger-than-life over a city. This, whatever this is, is totally in line with her friend's acts.

Snapping the privacy blinds open allowed her to see and hear the damage. People gathered along the edges of the street, but more at a curiosity level. Hyacinth, now more noticeable at his current size was proudly chuckling on his throne of pillows, and Bowe, the rainbow coatl is always a rare sight. But when a finger did point it was not to the back carrying wagons it was at her. And the music wasn’t coming from the wagon train, she’d half expected Songstress and The Flows to be riding the tops of the wagons and carriages playing as they made their way through the city. No, it was worse.

A choir of voices, a symphony of instruments. She caught the first bard or musician along the edge of the street. Their voice rose high paired with those singing behind the carriage and a head where it was heading. “Lady of the people, a cold star shining bright. Mistress of her arts, necromantess Harmony White.”

Those were Ambrosia’s lyrics, and just as the carriage passed to the edge of earshot of one singer, another continued the tune. “Challenger of the dungeon. Tamer of the prince.”

Harmony shut the blinds hard. Coming early to prepare for her visit! Anger battled with despondency and settled for exasperation. It was one thing to invite her to dance at a show, but this unasked and unwanted setup. For revenge maybe she'd make Ambrosia wear the old outfits Tyler had picked out. No that wouldn’t work, Ambrosia liked them, except for how cold it got during the winter. In the summer it might be a relief. Too much to do to properly respond, one day though, one day… As the music followed them on their trip, Harmony continued to plan, this time on how to best pay her friend back for this welcoming party.