I smiled at her. “Great! So… are you willing to be our spokesperson then?!”

Lakshmi jerked in surprise. “Me?! I’m not the princess anymore! I’ve probably been disinherited!”

“Well, be that as it may, you have a lot of experience talking to very important people, and we’ve seen what happens when I do the talking.” I found myself clasping my hands to my chest hating how I sounded, but feeling every bit of it. “And it would be so nice if we could just explain for once, instead of turning everything into a giant firefight!”

Everyone was silent for a moment. Soriya coughed. “I use dark and cold most of the time, really.”

I rolled my eyes at her, but nobody else seemed to get the joke. As usual. I thought.

“So, can I count on Captain Lakshmi to explain that we just want to make amends?” I said hopefully.

Lakshmi tapped her chin, lost in thought. Daniyel said softly “Challenges come in many forms. For instance, did I ever tell you the story of-”

“Ok, ok! Alright, I get it!” Lakshmi waved her hands hurriedly. “I’ll do it! I’m just not wild about the idea that if you’re right, they’ll probably just tell us to go on some weird and super dangerous quest anyway!”

I sighed and nodded. “Yes, that’s probably true. But maybe we can ask them to give us their Arcanum, so we can succeed, instead of being sent to a supposed death?”

“Well…” she pointed her finger at me sternly. “I still haven’t forgiven you for forgetting that airships need fuel! But… I am forced to admit, the fuel did just turn up like you predicted.” She turned back to the walls and caressed the bulkhead once more. “But if we could just figure out what they use here…” her voice trailed off softly.

Camaxtli spoke up. “It is a combination of ætheric vibrations and differential flux potential between mana poles. It requires living components to properly replicate, and as such is subject to intense maintence requirements.”

Lakshmi turned to him; her eyes wide. “Oh wow, so this ship is actually alive! It doesn’t just look like it?!”

Camaxtli tipped his head to the side, his eyes whirling. “That is… not entirely incorrect.”

Lakshmi frowned, then her eyebrows rose. “This is one of those things you mentioned. It’s not quite right, but not quite wrong?”

Camaxtli sagged in relief, and my mouth popped open in surprise.

Camaxtli!? Showing that much emotion? Wow!

“That is correct.” He nodded; his voice tinged with clear relief. “I am glad you understand. I will be happy to elaborate on the principles when we have time.”

Lakshmi giggled and bounced happily. “Yes, yesyesyes, of course yes! I love to learn about new technology, you know that!”

Camaxtli nodded, and the faintest of curves appeared on his lips. “Yes. That personality trait is self-evident.” He said.

I stared at him in confusion. Was that… a joke?! Did he just make a joke?!

Lakshmi slapped her palms on her pants. “Well, if I’m going to do the talking, I need to slap the rest of you into shape! So listen up, loyal crew!”

We spent the rest of the trip with Lakshmi drilling etiquette and protocol into our heads. It wasn’t much, and this was the Sylvani territory, but… well, Lakshmi was a surprisingly good teacher. When she wasn’t playing up the ‘pirate queen’ angle.

I need to talk to her about that. Unless she enjoys it, I guess? Still, she’s so over the top…!

I was enthralled with the lesson, though Eshaan found himself less so. I had to keep my fingers crossed that this would pay off at all. Though I did wonder, wasn’t this off script? Wasn’t Eshaan supposed to be doing the talking? Or perhaps me, with my ‘heart felt plea’ attack? I shook my head in irritation. Still, it just made sense for Lakshmi to teach us this, and for her to do the talking.

Several hours later, at least by the angle of the sun in the sky, the airship started to descend. A few moments after that, we caught sight of what could only be the Sylvani city.

“Soriya! Look, look!” I pointed out the porthole at the lush greenery below, and the elegant spires of enormous trees sculpted into high rise buildings, open courtyards and landing platforms. It rather reminded me of the Imperial city, only the air was pristine, and there was greenery everywhere.

Soriya grinned, and nudged me. “Going to ask about the chocolate? For ‘the Avatar’ maybe they’ll make you a deal?”

I rolled my eyes at her. “Yes of course I’m going to ask about chocolate! But it’s not the main reason we’re here! Just… a nice side bonus, if it shows up!”

Soriya grinned back, then looked out the window. “Still… this is pretty cool. A really real Elven city.”

I nudged her with an elbow. “Weren’t you the one who told me that was racist? Calling them elves?”

Soriya shrugged. “I don’t recall that. And anyway, you know what I meant.”

I nodded agreeably. “Yes, it’s true I do. But I think I’ll try to keep calling them Sylvani, otherwise I’ll wind up insulting them. If there’s one thing that I don’t want to give this plot, it’s an unintended insult.” I waved my arms around. “For heaven’s sakes we already blew up their defense grid! We don’t need to be forced into making more mistakes!”

Soriya nodded. “Do you have any idea how to repair it?”

I glanced at her in surprise. “No, of course not. My being able to blow it up was entirely based on listening to Lakshmi’s lectures! We have a walking talking genius magitech engineer with us! Whatever it is, no matter how weird or bizarre, she’ll understand it after doing just the most cursory study of it.”

From across the hangar, Lakshmi suddenly gave a shriek of delight. “I’ve got it!” She danced around in a little circle, pointing to the bulkhead. “They fused the living structure of a plant, like a bonsai, and then infused a solidified form of mana while it was growing! It’s brilliant!”

Soriya and I shared a look, then slowly smiled at eachother.

“You know. Like that.” I said.

Lakshmi was horrified to learn that we had no paper on us, not even a writing implement. Daniyel was extremely apologetic, but pointed out that all our weapons had been confiscated.

“I do not believe paper cuts to be a true weapon of war, but these Sylvani do have strange customs.” He said dryly. Soriya giggled and kissed him on the cheek. I turned my head and pretended to be absorbed in examining the cargo crates, half of which Eshaan had already opened.

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“Eshaan, sweetie. We’re going to be landing soon, I think, so maybe close all those, and relock them?” I said to him.

His eyes got big and he dashed over to the open chests, closing them again, and fiddling with the locks and his new hairpin collection. After that, we all dutifully put on our shackles and relocked them.

A short time later, the sound of wood and wind outside took on a different tone, and peering out the porthole, I could see the airship had nestled into a wooden cradle. Clearly, we had arrived. The harsh sound of metal and locks snapping open drew our attention to the door, which slammed open, and a different squad of sylvani hotties-

Seriously, why are they all so gorgeous! I am feeling downright inferior! … oh God, I’m comparing my chest to the women now. How utterly trite. I pressed my lips together in annoyance. Eshaan is watching, this is rude to even think it!

-marched in and took us into custody once more. The imperial troopers in the other hold were added to our group, and we were marched with brisk efficiency off the airship.

The bustling docks of the tree city were incredibly exotic. The smells and sounds of a living tree city exceeded all my expectations. But what caught my eye after the parade of incredibly attractive sylvani in revealing clothing, was the bright colored balls of goo that bounced here and there, often trailing after various groups as though they were… pets?!

“Are those… slimes? Slime pets!?” Lakshmi gasped. “I’ve never seen a slime of that color! Or that one!” She pointed eagerly.

One of the female sylvani guards glared over at us. “Not that it’s any of your concern, but slimes are a vital part of our culture!”

“Keyleth! Stop talking to the prisoners! The queen will want to have the right of first interrogation!” The guard captain snapped. The female sylvani snapped her head around and saluted “Sir!”

My eyes widened. Well that was quick. Right to the queen! I crossed my fingers mentally. I hope this goes… well of course it won’t go to plan, that’s like… asking to fall up for heaven’s sake.

I finally settled on I hope she’s friendly. And left it at that.

“Take these others to the holding area. The Queen only wishes to see them.”

Half our guards split off, pushing the imperial troopers with them, leaving us with a smaller group of guards and unanswered questions.

We were ushered through the city at a quick pace, though I did take the opportunity to rubberneck. In its own way-

A very green and golden leafy way I thought with amusement

-it was just as interesting and engaging as Camaxtli’s Jubilee, or the Imperial capital of Spyre. Every once in a while, it would hit me again with full force. This world was not just some game, it was a living breathing world, and I was living in it. Hopefully, the slimes would not need to hit me.

“May we at least know the name of your city?” I asked.

Our guards were silent for a long moment, and then the guard captain spoke up reluctantly. “This is the capital of Itzi, Zaachilia.” He said shortly, then returned to stoic silence.

Really, he can give Daniyel a run for his money there. I thought wryly. So. Zaachilia. Well, now I have a name to call this place at least. And we can at least refer to it properly when we address the queen.

I noted that the imperial troopers didn’t say anything themselves, and wondered if they’d tried, or were just still reeling from the loss of Lieutenant Isha.

The palace was very grand, and also very green. An enormous tree, larger than any we’d yet seen with multiple skyway bridges radiating outwards, soaring over the lightless chasms of greenery below us. Very professional guards who held their weapons with the knowledge of long practice checked us over, and I caught several snatches of dialogue between them.

“We have brought the avatar, her companions, and her foes for judgement.”

“This is the avatar? Oh, I suppose she must be with that appearance.”

My appearance? What’s that about? Is pink hair that unusual here? I thought.

“Well, you’re expected, of course.”

“Of course we are.”

Then to us. “You will be watched, outlanders. If you make any unexpected move, your death will be swift.”

I had no doubt that these extremely dangerous looking men and women meant every word. Fortunately for me, I just wanted to pick up the next plot coupon and be on my way, not start a revolution or wage a six person war.

Although, to be even more precise, I am waging a six person war against Deacon. So perhaps I am here to wage a war after all. Just not against the sylvani.

The gates to the palace opened, and we were ushered inside.

I’d never imagined wood could be so beautiful. I’d known that wood could have different colors, but the patterns… they was like liquid flowing into each other, only to explode in sudden intricate geometric mandala patterns like flowers or stars. The walls, the floor, the ceiling, were all woven into a beautiful abstract pattern that captured the eye, and all done in shades of living wood.

The windows looked out at the broad jungle outside, brilliant sunlight spilling like liquid gold across the floor, and adding its own pattern to the wooden artistry on casual display.

The guard’s voice called me back to reality. I’d completely lost track of where we were, absorbed in the scenery.

“Presenting the Avatar of the System, her companions, and the foes they battled. I have witnessed their skill and the destruction of the land myself, and attest to their power, your majesty.”

We had come to a grand hall, filled with a grand crowd of sylvani. At the head of the room, a beautiful sylvani woman rested casually in a woven throne, leaves of gold and pale green forming a halo around her.

Ah, the queen. This must be her court. My lips twitched. And she’s very buxom indeed. I noted. My smile twitched a little broader as I realized the queen held a small brown slime in her lap, giving it absent minded strokes. There were several slimes scattered about the grand throne room too, they must be court pets.

Lakshmi made a motion with her hand and as we had arranged, our little group all sank down to our knees and bowed our heads. Lakshmi spoke with a resonant tone, very unlike her normal speech “We greet the grand queen of the land of Itzi, we are honored to exist in your presence.”

I tuned out the formalities, staring at the slime in the queen’s lap. I wonder if mother would like a slime for a pet? I thought.

The queen’s next words brought me back with a snap though.

“You stand accused of grave crimes.” The queen spoke. “Merely entering our lands without permission might result in execution, and then on top of this you have added the destruction of the living land. Were it not for the presence of the Avatar in your group, you would be dead already.”

I could feel everyone tense up, but Lakshmi seemed to be in full Air Pirate mode, taking it with an easy smile and a flourish of her hat.

“Yet you have not, and we do! We are grateful for the opportunity to explain ourselves. We are on a grand quest, we seek one of the lost Keys to the System, an Arcana which lies somewhere in your lands. Our need is great, and we saw no other way to enter your lands.” Lakshmi gave another flourish of her hat. “And so we entered through your gate towers, little realizing the outcome! We offer our most humble apology, and offer to repair the damage we have caused.

“Please, hear our plea. We would not ask this if our need were not grave indeed. As you can see, we are pursued by evil men with a dark purpose, one who wishes to stop the Avatar and her quest.”

There was a shocked gasp among the courtiers, followed by a low murmur and shuffling. The queen raised her hand and the room was filled with silence immediately.

“So you have come for the fragment then.” The queen sighed. “The payment for our ancestor’s sins have truly come, as the prophecy foretold.”

My head popped up, looking at the queen in surprise. She was staring right at me, and I felt myself blush, dropping my head again.

The sound of footsteps on carpet and the rustle of cloth, followed by the gasps of the courtiers made me desperate to look up, but before the urge could overwhelm me, I saw the hem of the queen’s gown and her slippers, and felt a light touch on my head.

The queen crouched down and slipped her fingers under my chin, lifting my head to look into her eyes.

Her eyes were large and green and filled with a mixture of iron willed determination and a faint hint of sadness. I could feel my heart beating a hundred miles a minute.

What is even going on?! I don’t know any plot like this!

The queen looked into my eyes for a long moment, then spoke.

“I see you are indeed very beautiful, just as the legends said.”

I felt my cheeks blaze with embarrassment. This was not at all what I thought the script was going to be!

The queen stood up. “But I see the honesty and pure soul in your eyes. You truly mean us no harm.” She sighed. “You may rise.”

The guard captain gave a shocked gasp and stepped forward, his armor clanking. “Your majesty-!”

The queen held up her hand to silence him, then turned to him, her gaze level. “Caeldrim, your loyalty is beyond reproach, but our ancient sins have come due.” Her eyes narrowed and her voice turned thoughtful as she turned back to us. “But since they have offered…” her voice grew louder.

“We accept your offer of repair, but the material-”

I felt a huge wave of relief wash over me. At last, here we go! And my thoughts matched the queen’s words as she announced.

“-is incredibly rare. We have none in reserve, and gaining more requires a dangerous quest-” but that was when the script ran off the rails again.

“-to the lands of ice in the utmost north, where another of the Arcanum we stole guards it.”

Wait, what?! My thoughts stumbled to a halt.

At the exact same moment, Eshaan said “Wait, what!?”