In the following her embarrassing encounter in the jungle, Thepa found herself avoiding people. No longer did she travel into the jungle, but instead hid away in her room, lost in thought. Yet, the isolation began to feel suffocating, and on the morning of Gamma and Wilran's arrival, the sea's call was too tempting to ignore.

Thepa stared out at the sea from the long wooden dock deep in the heart of the Beachwick. Its timbered planks were still wet from the morning tide, but the sun's gentle rays and a slight breeze blowing in her direction were making short work of the dampened wood. The soothing sounds of waves breaking against the rocks created a calming rhythm, washing away the embarrassment she had experienced in the jungle and the days that followed.

"You got a look."

Hours passed, yet she waited. A breathtaking sunrise painted the sky in vibrant hues of orange and yellow against a canvas of blue, illuminating the calm waters that sparkled like polished coins. Silver-lined clouds drifted lazily across the horizon, doing little to obscure the sun's majestic ascent. She watched the tide come in bringing its birth to the tips of the docks, but completions of Matron observation and good engineering had made sure to completely keep the waters at bay.

"I've seen that look before."

In the distance, a large ship cut through the water. Though it was still a way off, Thepa could see an outline of a crest fixed to its sails as the winds carried its massive vessel closer and closer to her. After nearly half a completion apart, she would finally reunite with her friends. Excitement should have bubbled within her at the thought of catching up and learning what had transpired with Wilran after their final battle and Gamma after her banishment.

"It's not a very common look among the Sisterhood."

All of it, the sunrise, the anticipation of friends, learning of knowledge, should have been a welcome presence in her life right now. However, more and more she found herself distracted and drifting back to that night in the clearing two days prior. For the first time in her life she had felt physical desire, another change in a few short months. It seemed like each minute something new had dominated her life so prominently, she mentally made a list to make sure she wasn't she wasn't losing her mind amid the chaos.

Discovering her magic...

"Some of our kind might even fear the feeling that comes with that look."

Defeating Zelphina...

"But, it's not to be feared."

Becoming Matriarch...

"And you're not just any Matron."

Learning Rory's power...

"You are the Matriarch. Ruler of the Beachwick.

Losing Sister Sonia...

"In fact, I once saw that exact same look on your mother."

Condemning the lizardmen to death...

"Maybe a completion before you were born."

Him.

"Have you spoken to your mother lately?"

Finally Thepa turned to face her mentor, who had been watching her intently. Thepa had sensed Vivian's hoofsteps on the dock moments earlier but had chosen to ignore them. From the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Ciary and Onna at the end of the dock, both equally sharing a look of concern. Out of all the things to have happened in the last few months, there camaraderie had been the strangest. Their hatred dominated so much of her early reign as Matriarch, but since her proclamation to kill the lizardmen, they were rarely seen apart. It was as if their united rage against the beasts and their new found concern for both Thepa and the Beachwick had become the glue that stuck the two of them together.

"Every day," Thepa replied, forcing a neutral expression to mask her swirling thoughts.

Keep it together. Don't let her see. Stoic and strong, just like a leader. Just like Mother.

"Hmm," Vivian mused, glancing back at Ciary and Onna.

The boat had started to enter the harbor, and Thepa's eyes widened as she spotted a skiff being lowered. Most ships understood they could not dock in the Beachwick unless they were female-only vessels, but it was customary for passengers to be ferried to shore as long as they met the requirements. The larger boats would go around the long way towards the docks near the old outpost, which her people had kept up for such purpose.

"Back then, your mother gave me a similar answer too, but I was much too young and foolish not to press it. Now I think I'll have no problem sharing with you what I should have told her."

Finally, she could make out the silhouettes of Wilran and Gamma as they descended into the skiff. The small boat pulled away from the larger vessel, which turned portside, gliding swiftly toward her, propelled by magic.

"What's that?" Thepa asked, her excitement bubbling over as she turned her full attention to the approaching skiff.

"A Warbol belongs in the matriarchy. It is her duty. It is her birthright."

With a wave, Thepa greeted the oncoming skiff as it made its final approach to the dock. Behind her, she could hear Vivian's footsteps echoing off the shallow water, reverberating against the wood. A welcoming smile spread across her face for the approaching elf and human, but then a strange tingle raced down her spine. She turned back to Vivian, her cheeks heating with a flush so bright, it would have put the sun to shame. The three Sisters were already heading back toward the village, laughing at some inside joke, while Gamma's voice called her name. Yet, mortification gripped her, freezing her in place as she stood upon the dock.

Is she telling me to...

The sounds of the clerics disembarking grew louder as Gamma persisted in her attempts to catch Thepa's attention, but she hesitated to turn around, fearing she might lose control of her emotions. Her face continued to burn a deep red, and for a brief moment, she considered jumping in the salty sea to cool herself down, but easily dismissed it. She started to hack and wheeze hoping to mask any of her awkwardness, that by the time Gamma placed a hand on her shoulder she could claim none the wiser.

"Thepa?" Gamma asked with concern. "Everything alright?"

"Yes," she croaked with tears in her eyes. "Just a bad breath of air. I've missed you so much Gamma."

Without waiting for a response, Thepa pulled Gamma into a tight hug. It wasn't her usual style to greet someone with a hug other than Rory, Einkidi, or Claudia, but at the moment, she it felt necessary. Fortunately, the pause allowed her a little more time to compose herself, not to mention, she felt Gamma deserved it. After what happened the last time the two of them saw each other, she wished she could do more.

When she finally broke away, she turned to Wilran, bowing low with outstretched hands to greet the elven woman who had rescued them from the temple months prior. If not for Wilran's efforts, they all might have died the other side of the island. Wilran started to bow in response, but Thepa stopped her.

"No. You deserve the honor here. You bow to no one."

Wilran shot Thepa an uncomfortable look, glancing briefly at her left hand, but she nodded nonetheless. Satisfied, Thepa hooked her arms through both of theirs and began leading them down the dock.

"Now, tell me everything."

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

The three talked as Thepa led them back towards her ancestral home. Gamma guided most of the conversation as she filled Thepa in on her self-imposed exile.

"Delphi mentioned she was coming to you. I can't believe you managed to stay out there alone, especially after what happened with Rory. How did you get through it?"

"She wasn't exactly alone," Wilran blurted out.

The tips of Gamma's ears turned red, but she maintained her composure.

"Bidant was the perfect gentleman."

"Wait!" Thepa froze in the middle of the dirt path.

She turned towards Gamma, shocked. The Matrons that passed them by gave them strange looks, but nobody stopped them.

"You and Bidant? Quiet Bidant? This I have to know."

"Maybe not," said Wilran with a smile. "There's been an awful lot of snickering in the secret Message Spells since we discovered long distance messages were working. Perhaps some things are better unsaid."

Gamma's cheeks began to match her ears, but Thepa's attention was drawn to Wilran's teasing for a different reason.

"Why do you think you weren't able to communicate before? I tried to reach you for nearly a completion."

Wilran and Gamma exchanged a knowing look before answering in unison.

"The lights."

"What lights?" Thepa asked, confusion knitting her brow.

"In the frozen north, there were lights of different colors," Gamma explained. "Perhaps placed there by the Gods long ago. For some reason, they seem to interfere with magic. At least, that's our working theory."

Wheels began to turn in Thepa's mind.

If those lights are in one place, perhaps they could be elsewhere.

Her voice rose with excitement as she pitched her thoughts to Wilran and Gamma.

"When we teleported out of the temple, I found myself alone in the jungle. You said the same thing, Wilran. Yenry and Julius mentioned they teleported to different locations, and I have the pretty good feeling Tash did too. If there were two crystals we didn't know about, maybe there's a third. Perhaps Zuna is stuck in another place where similar lights are preventing her from reaching us!"

"Zuna's gone?" Wilran's voice turned somber.

You idiot! Thepa thought, mentally kicking herself. She should have known better than to mention Zuna's disappearance so callously.

Gamma reached into her bag, her excitement filling the air as she pulled out a letter. Thepa recognized it immediately, having held onto it for so long. Eagerly, she waited as Gamma scanned its contents.

"LOOK!" Gamma exclaimed, pointing to the third paragraph. But Thepa's consumed it.

She wanted to understand what Gamma was hinting at, but if she was honest with herself, she simply yearned to see Rory again—even if it was just through a word. She had abstained when it was left in her charge, but now Gamma freely offered, she allowed the words to roll over her heart.

You are so much the embodiment of love and devotion that the moment you left, I felt the giver of life grieve over my actions. Her inner depths pierced my soul so deeply, as soon as I could, I teleported away to some far-off desert and screamed at the dunes in the distance begging her for relief and penitence, but her grief was not to be abated. 'Actions have consequences,' she told me. Therefore, it was my fate to suffer my own grief and Hers that only by completing my mission would I finally find solace from the pain of hurting one of her younglings so badly.

Oh Rory. Thepa thought. The burden you carried on your shoulders. Why didn't you let me help you?

"Don't you see?" Gamma blurted, her eyes alight with urgency. "There's a third unknown location. Rory admitted to teleporting to a desert. How she managed that without attunement is anyone's guess, but none of the known ionic crystals are in deserts."

As the realization dawned on her, Thepa felt a surge of excitement. Perhaps there is a way to find Zuna after all, she mused.

"But where is this desert?" she asked, her brow furrowing. "Besides a few dunes along the shoreline, I can't think of any place that could even be called a desert."

The spark of excitement faded from Gamma's face as she pondered the question, ultimately coming up empty.

"What about the Galaks?" Wilran suggested.

"Galaks?" Thepa asked, confused. She briefly thought Wilran was talking about Tash from Elite Team One, but it didn't make sense.

"They are the Youngling of the Sands," Wilran continued. "I heard stories while we were training in Lightmount. Some locals spoke of a dry island west of the western continent—supposedly their homeland long ago before they were overrun by an unknown creature. It's possible the Clayborn sailors that brought us here know how to reach it."

"That's as good a guess as any," Gamma replied with a shrug, her mood lifting.

Thepa agreed. It was their best lead to finding Zuna, and if the sailors had knowledge of the route, they would be able to mount a rescue mission. Just as she was about to discuss their next steps, Ciary's voice rang out from down the street.

"Sister Thepa! Come quickly. Urgent news from Goldale."

Gamma froze, panic overtaking her. Thepa noticed her friend begin to gesture, summoning magic, but no energy gathered in her hand.

"I knew I shouldn't have wasted it," Gamma muttered, frustration creeping into her voice.

Gamma tried once more out of sheer panic,but finally relented, knowing there was nothing she could do at the moment. The three of them hurried after Ciary toward Thepa's ancestral home. Upon arrival, Thepa found her mother, Vivian, and Onna already gathered, their expressions grave.

"What's going on?" Thepa asked, her heart racing.

"An emergency call of the Sisterhood," her mother replied somberly. "We must confer immediately."

Gamma, now short on patience, shot them a worried glance. "Is everything alright in Goldale?"

"Goldale has an army of beasts marching on their southern border," Vivian stated emphatically. "They're invoking the treaty. They call for aid."

Gamma gasped, panic flooding her as her body began to tremble. Wilran attempted to soothe her with a gentle touch on her back, but Gamma shook it off, her fear consuming her. Recognizing that Gamma would be no help in her current state, Thepa directed her down the road.

"Go back down the road five dwellings. Ask for the messenger and tell her I sent you."

Gamma bolted without so much as a nod of acknowledgement, but Wilran stayed, for which Thepa was grateful. she might still need her help as she turned back to face the stoic Sisters, bracing herself for a rigorous debate.

"What of our allies?" she asked, trying to get a fix on the situation.

"Lightmount is coordinating with Clayborn forces in the rock lands to prepare a flank." Vivian answered. "It will take time, but Goldale believes their superior fortifications and the fact that the army is at least a full day out should give them enough time to unite the three forces. They believe they can hold off for six days until the three forces can converge."

"Wildehaven?" Thepa asked.

"Unclear," said Onna. "The communiqué stated magical support is on the way."

Clerics or wizards? wondered Thepa wondered before asking, "Do we know who sent the report?"

"Mistress Verola," Onna responded.

Wizards it is then. Thepa thought moving past the information. So far nothing surprising.

"Swampspell?"

"They're out," Ciary said, shifting her hooves restlessly. "And frankly, we should be too. If the beasts catch wind of us weakening our protection on the Beachwick, they might attempt a second attack. We might not be so lucky next time."

"It's not that simple," Thepa sighed, frustration boiling over. "We have to uphold the treaty. We must do something."

"Sister Ciary is right, Matriarch," Onna chimed in, moving to Ciary's side. "We have to assume the beasts have spies near our lands. We might keep them away from our docks, but we won't be able to hide the loading of boats. We can't risk it."

Thepa turned toward Vivian, hoping for a glimmer of support. I could break the tie under the power of the matriarchy if Vivian joins me...

"Vivian?" Thepa asked, her tone hopeful. But Vivian moved closer to the other two Sisters instead.

"Treaties should not be broken lightly," she stated solemnly, "but our priority has always been the Beachwick."

Frustrated, Thepa sank onto a short chair. With the decision made, there was little she could do. "So, Esha abandons the mainland?"

Once again Ciary shifted her hooves. "Not exactly. Swampspell is sending ships to take in refugees. I hear your friend Lily is personally leading the armada."

Thepa looked to Wilran for some kind of support when an idea struck her so suddenly, she leapt to her hooves.

"A smash and stab then!" she exclaimed.

"What?" her mother asked, taken aback.

Ciary and Onna looked confused, but Vivian smiled, fingering the shaft of her great axe menacingly.

"A small group of Saintians could infiltrate the beast army and eliminate key leaders and positions. It could throw their forces into disarray while Lightmount, Clayborn, and Goldale flank them from the sides. The only issue is that they'd need to be well-trained and know exactly what they're doing, and be able to blend in. I know the land, I have the training, I know how we can blend in, and now that I finally have a lead on Matron Zuna, I know where we can find the members of the team."

As she finished, the Sisters in the room spoke over one another, voicing their objections.

"Bean, it's too dangerous!" her mother cried.

"Absolutely not. We can't risk the Matriarch," Onna added emphatically.

"We still have to worry about the beast threat here," Ciary interjected.

"Let me go in your place," pleaded Vivian.

"Sisters, we must be reasonable. The treaty must be upheld. Long-term gain is better than any short-term loss by not responding. By my going, I'm leaving the Beachwick in the best hands. A united council is better than a single Matriarch. Goldale will see it as us sending our best."

Vivian moved towards Thepa's direction, stopping just short of arms reach. At this distance, Thepa had to look up into the fierce warrior, knowing she was being tested. She fixed her blue eyes on Vivian, matching her intensity, refusing to back down.

"A Warbol belongs in the matriarchy," Vivian stated firmly.

The message might not have been clear the first time Vivian spoke those words to her down at the docks, but now Thepa was sure of it. The line must continue.

Another tingle made its way up Thepa's spine, and she felt an uneasiness in her face and ears as heat flushed to the cheeks and tips of her ears. Vivian might have intended to put her on the spot, but stubbornness was a old friend Thepa knew well. She wouldn't back down, but the implication sparked an idea on where she could get help to find Zuna.

"And if it needs one, there's one right there," Thepa said, gesturing toward her mother. "But you're right. I might need help."

Thepa shifted her gaze to the other two Sisters across the room. "Have either of you seen a giant wolf in the past few days?"