Adrianna smiled at the girl who was about the same age as her. Her chocolate brown skin glowed as the morning rays fell on it. Exuding confidence and charm Inyanga walked to her academic block. She had spotted the odd group standing and staring at her. Her bag was on her shoulders and there were three books that she had held across the chest with one hand. It was her free hand that caught Adrianna's attention. Suddenly there was magic crackling between the fingers. Violet light flowed around it in waves, as though trying to give a warning that she knew about the oddity of the group. Inyanga continued to walk to the block.

"I am going to talk to her," said Adrianna and she started to walk to her.

​​

Haldir stopped her. "No my Queen, I will go and introduce her to you."

Adrianna stopped instantly knowing what he meant. He didn't want to create a panicky situation in the college because other students would begin pouring any time. "Okay," she nodded.

Calmly, Haldir walked to Inyanga. "Good evening, Queen Inyanga," he said politely as soon as he reached within five feet distance from behind.

Inyanga immediately turned, her eyes glowing red with warning and the magic extending to her forearm. "Who are you, elf?" she asked. "Why are you here?"

Haldir introduced himself and then pointed to Adrianna. "She is my queen." Then he pointed to the rest of the group and when he introduced them one by one, Inyanga's anger had vanished like vapor. It was replaced by curiosity. She couldn't understand what such a strong group would want from her but it was obviously something interesting. Her eyes went to Enya and her face became cold. She snapped her fingers.

To Mihr's irritation, they all found themselves in the same clearing of the forest from where they had come some time back. The child who had made them disappear from there was present and his gaze locked with Mihr's. The two of them looked at each other like sworn enemies. As if bored of the man in front of him, the child jerked his head away, "Hmph!" his curly black hair dancing with the movement. Mihr was left gaping at the child's attitude.

While Shang Kui and the rest bowed to her in curtsey, Enya didn't. She stared at Inyanga and said, "You and I have a lot to talk."

Inyanga didn't reply to her. She shrugged and turned to Adrianna to look at. "Welcome to my world," said Inyanga, greeting them with the same politeness. She walked ahead of them. Ignoring Enya's words, Adrianna looked around the place. It was so serene and scenic that she wished her world stayed the same. Her stomach roiled at the thought of the imminent attack. She focused on the young witch in front of her.

The group followed Inyanga to a small thatched cottage. They walked into a room, which looked like a student's room. There was only one small cot in the center. A table on which more than a dozen books were kept neatly was placed near the window. There were no shelves but there were numerous other books that were floating in neat rows one over the other near the wall.

There were no chairs and as soon as the group entered, the room looked too overcrowded. There was not enough space to stand without bumping into each other, let alone sitting on chairs. The red-bricked walls gave the room a rustic feel.

"Is this how you have started living?" scorned Enya. The way she remarked, it seemed there was something in the past that was between them. "I expected better."

A muscle feathered in Inyanga's jaw. She exhaled and went to the wall where a painting of a man was hanging. "Please open the room for me," she whispered to the painting. The bricks besides the painting started moving, one at a time. They folded into each other creating a hole that became wider and wider until a door was formed.

Mihr's eyes were wide with surprise when he found himself looking into a palace beyond the door.

Inyanga looked at them, smiled and waved towards the entrance. "Welcome to my humble abode."

She walked through the door and as she walked, her entire appearance changed. The student who was wearing jeans and a shirt was now dressed in an off shoulders stately gown that draped behind her. There were so many sequins and stars on the gown that they created a glow around her. Her hair was braided over her crown and a gold tiara with five rubies was sitting on her head. Haldir caught his breath and walked behind her. The rest just… followed…

The palace had architecture like no one had seen earlier. Instead of the roofs, there was glass through which clear blue sky could be seen. Edges of the walls were lined with gold. Numerous plants of various types were present with birds chirping through them. Air was filled with aromatic herbs and flowers. There were so many exotic artifacts that were on display that it was difficult to even estimate the value.

Inyanga walked with grace as the palace guards bowed to their queen. She led them to the main hall. Unlike what they had seen in Enya's main hall, this was just the opposite. Inyanga looked at Enya from the corner of her eyes and found her rolling her eyes.

"Dramatic!" Enya said in a low voice.

"Please make yourself comfortable," she said to them and walked past Haldir to take her seat.

Adrianna 's anxiety increased. She didn't want to waste time, but then there were certain things that were not in her control, and amongst them one was royal curtsey. Once they were all seated, Adrianna stated her purpose of visit. "My kingdom needs your help. We are currently in a very tricky situation." She went on to explain the scenario. In the end she said, "If there is anything in return you would want, let me know."

Inyanga nodded. "Right now I don't have anything that I would need but I will take a rain check on that."

"Sure," replied Adrianna. "We have to leave immediately."