A large wooden staircase descended beneath them. In front, however, was the breathtaking view of the city. A giant fountain that put Aeceria's to shame towered nearly above the trees and seemed to be one of the focal points in the city. The other being the palace in the distance. White stone walls with curved towers and a marble staircase were perched on a cliff across from the group. In between were dirt roads and homes made of wood and clay. Trees and vines weaved their way around the homes giving each home a distinct appearance. Some homes had even found their way within the trees.

Fae were bustling about, and it was the first time Gwyneth (and the other humans with her) had seen their wings. Large translucent wings sprouted from their back identical to a butterfly's. Their attire was something to note as well. Florian, Lam, and Firth had all worn cloth and leather tunics. The other Fae appeared to be wearing a mixture of cloth and... Were those flower petals? Gwyneth noted that every Fae seemed to be wearing a tunic. Not much for individual fashion sense, huh?

"Come." Florian beckoned as he began his descent down the stairs.

Passing through the town, the group felt a sense of wonder. Leaves seemed to move regardless of the wind. Elric could have sworn he saw vines move from one tree to another, a sight that sent shivers down his spine.

Aston felt the city was a bit too happy for his liking. However, he couldn't deny the powerful sense of magic he felt around him. It was as if it were calling out to the magic within him as if it sought to complete him. He stretched out his hand and a butterfly perched upon his finger. However, unlike the ones in Aeceria, this one had a faint blue glow.

Isla had already taken a trip to the city earlier (under Florian's supervision) but still couldn't help the awe she felt every time she went out. She giggled at Aston who was slowly being covered in butterflies, something that would never happen in Aeceria — or anywhere else, she assumed.

Gwyneth turned to see two young children jumping about. Her eyebrows raised at the peculiar sight before seeing wings flicker in and out of existence.

"A bit young to be getting their wings," Florian began. "However, the element has been acting rather strange as of late. We're getting our wings at an astoundingly young age."

Gwyneth turned back to the children she had been watching. Both were now suspended in the air, wings fully sprouted. She couldn't help but feel a prick of jealousy.

"You know..." Lam increased his pace to walk beside Isla. "With the increase in elemental energy, it may be possible even for you to manifest wings."

"Y-You really think so?" Isla's eyes lit in delight. She wanted nothing more than to take flight just as those around her did so with ease. However, she shouldn't get too carried away; she had a duty to fulfill, after all. But... What was the harm in one personal indulgence?

"There will be time for that later." Annoyance was evident in Florian's tone.

The walk through the city was longer than Gwyneth had anticipated. Their view from the cliff had made the town appear smaller than it was, as perspective tends to do.

Unlike their time in Aboracies where the people had been generous and welcoming, the Fae only spared the occasional glance and scowl. None of them took it personally (except maybe Aston). After all, they were strangers in a strange land; one they were forbidden from entering.

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They ascended a marble bridge, one nearly identical to the sword they had forsaken back in Aboracies. Near the base of the stairs were two guards standing watch who immediately stepped aside for Florian. At the top, several more guards were stationed near the staircase and throughout the courtyard. Flowers of pink, white, and yellow bloomed around the stone pavement.

The large double doors opened to reveal the palace constructed of stone and marble. The light of the isabells gave everything a pink hue as there weren't many windows on the first floor. An elaborate staircase on either side of the large hall merged to allow passages to the upper floor. However, Florian led them straight ahead under the arch which the staircases formed. Another set of double doors opened to reveal the throne room. The walls and floors were entirely made of marble as opposed to the marble-stone mixture throughout the rest of the palace. A magenta carpet led to the three thrones, one larger than the others. Rather than being gold like the thrones in Aeceria, they took on a more silver appearance.

Sitting before them was a man with long curly white hair dressed in a flowing dark green mantle. Unlike the tunics that the other Fae wore, he appeared to be wearing a white gown-like garment.

Florian, Lam, and Firth knelt before the king while the others opted to bow. Except for Aston, who only bowed when nudged sharply on the back by Elric's elbow.

The king's expression morphed into one of surprise and then realization. "Ehat," he spoke airily.

"Did he just call me a hat?" Aston whispered to Gwyneth, who sharply inhaled as cold sweat poured down her face. It took all her strength to not make a scene in front of a powerful king who could kill them at the flick of a wrist.

And yet Aston's biggest concern was being mislabeled as a hat.

The king chuckled having overheard Aston's whisper. "It is your name in the old language."

"Oh..." Aston spoke dumbfoundedly. What else was he supposed to say to that? He thought he was being called a hat.

"When my guards informed me of your magic, I could not help but draw my own conclusions. Indeed, you are the hero of legend humans revere you for. However, I must admit I was a bit... disappointed to hear that Florian bested you so easily. And to hear you had not received any specialized training? Truly, the Aecerian kingdom has failed you. If you are to live up to your name, you must train. In fact, I insist on it. You will train here for half a moon. If there is an improvement, you may continue on your quest. Fail and you will be deemed unworthy of your name and shall spend your days as fertilizer for our gardens."

Aston's face paled. His cocky side wanted to display just how strong his magic was, but this was the king. Surely Florian would look like a child in comparison. He wasn't fond of being drugged into isolation, so he obediently complied.

"That goes for all of you." The king's voice bellowed throughout the chamber. "You two," he pointed to Elric and Isla, "are to train with my guards on how to perfect physical combat as well as defend against magic. You," he pointed to Gwyneth, "I am sure we have plenty of ways to keep you busy. You are dismissed."

If Gwyneth was being honest, part of her was disappointed she would not train with the others. Her own kingdom had failed to teach her the ways of fighting, and this kingdom wasn't any better.

After they left the chamber, Florian escorted Aston away while Lam and Firth escorted Elric and Isla. Two servants, a female with short white locks that framed her face, and a male with long purple hair tied into a ponytail darted across the hall to meet Gwyneth.

"Wow!" The girl beamed. "I've never met a human before! Your hair is quite fine."

"Thank you." Gwyneth smiled politely.

"I'm sure it breaks easily. Oh, and you must spend an awfully long time managing it!"

Gwyneth blinked. How was she supposed to control the genetics that made up her hair?

"And your eyes! Are all human eyes as subdued as yours?" The boy added in, blinking his own red eyes at her.

"Excuse me?" Gwyneth found herself losing her patience. "Is it common to ask strangers such insensitive questions?"

The boy and girl chuckled at each other. "She's mad." The boy muffled his speech in his sleeve.

"I am upset," she corrected.

"Come," the boy composed himself. "We'll show you to your chambers."

Oh? She would be given a room in the palace?

"You will not leave your room for any reason without an escort," the girl added.

Ah, so a royal prison this time.