“Liza, you’re right. We can’t abandon your friends, but we have no equipment to take them on. I’m not going to search for them without some protection. We also have to worry about an entire kingdom. We need some help. Getting word to Ryum is important.” Azure turned from Liza to Anith. “You have a responsibility to see the people summoned safe. I understand your kingdom is in danger but you can’t ignore the other issue. When we reach Ryum you’ll need to help equip everyone.”

Anith and Liza sulked, but they knew that Azure made sense.

“Fine, we’ll go to Ryum first. Make the spell.” Liza conceded.

“I told you, I need something to power it. Using natural energy would ruin the land.” Azure replied.

“What do you need?” Lau asked.

“Money or something of value works,” Azure answered. “But I can also use other ways to power it. Like, if someone had been to the capital many times before. I can use the journey as a power source.”

“I’ve been to the capital before,” Sisa said.

“How many times? There are six of us so you need at least that many.” Azure replied.

“I was there once.” Anith chimed in.

“My brother went to the capital to find fortune. My family and I journeyed with him. We also tried to visit after the seasons but could only make the trip two other times.” Sisa said.

“Lau?” Azure asked hopefully.

Lau shook his head. “Have never been. Too far from forests.”

“We need to find something else to power the spell then,” Azure said.

“Just use the natural energies you mentioned. How much can it possibly use?” Lin asked.

Azure was hesitant to answer. The truth was, he didn’t know how much energy would be required. “It depends on how long it takes to normally travel to the capital.” He said.

“It took all of us a sixth-season to reach Yaku,” Sisa replied morosely. Recalling all the travels with her family was worsening her mood.

“How long is that?” Liza asked.

“Close to two weeks,” Anith answered. “Ryum’s calendar is based on the seasons.”

“Walking?” Lin asked. Sisa nodded.

“Is it all mostly flat?” Lin asked another question. Sisa nodded again.

Lin seemed to retreat into himself. “Okay, I remember reading that average calories burned walking a flat surface is around two hundred and thirty per hour. And one calorie is four point two joules. How long would you say you walked each day?” He turned to Sisa again.

“Half the day?” She replied. Lin looked to Anith again.

“Thirteen hours,” Anith said.

“Okay so two-thirty times four point two times thirteen. That’s… twelve thousand five hundred fifty-eight Joules. That’s not a lot.” Lin turned to Azure. “That’s less than what a candle burns.”

“We’re not walking though. Think of it like picking someone up and placing them somewhere else as fast as possible.” Azure answered.

“Oh.” Lin looked sheepish. “Sorry.”

“No, you were trying to help,” Azure replied. “Although, you’ve given me an idea. I could take all six of us, but two would need to make the journey back to this village before the end of the year.”

“That works,” Lau answered. “Was going to come back here anyway.”

“And I’ll need to show someone what happened to the village,” Sisa said.

With their answers, Azure went to work creating the spell. Once again he wrote out a gate symbol connected to the person. For power, he used the wheel. “Finished.” He told everyone.

The six gathered together as Azure cast the magic. Instantly, all of them found themselves in front of a gigantic mountain. Lin and Liza stared at the towering might of nature. And then they stared more as they saw structures built into the mountain. High up, an edge of the mountain had been carved to make way for a grand palace.

Anith walked forward as the two teens stared. “Come, we don’t have much time to waste.”

The others followed after as Anith walked up the road. They marched along, passing through merchants and townsfolk. Azure noticed they were all dressed in bright checkered clothing. Some wore blue, others red, and even others wore greens or yellows. Some had a mix of colors. He also saw the houses as they passed by. Each house was made of dark stone, uniform bricks stacked together. The roofs were covered in some form of tile, while others seemed to have a thatch roof. Even more impressive were the communal buildings. These structures were built of the same stone, but uncarved and stacked together. It gave the buildings and asymmetrical feel.

But what was truly impressive was the palace. Azure stared at the grand building as they walked. It was an amazing piece of architecture. At first glance, it almost looked as if someone had carved a single stone into a palace. But as he moved forward, he saw that it was instead many polished bricks stacked together. Each stone was as large as Azure, and none were a uniform shape. The stones had been polished and glazed, creating colorful checkered patterns across the walls.

The inside of the palace was as wonderous as the outside. After Anith had announced her presence and urgent need to speak to the king, the guards had sent for the steward, who then led the group inside. Along the walls were checkered boxes, each filled with art and symbols. Some showed great warriors and others beautiful artisans.

The steward led the group inside, boing as they entered. Ahead sat a Muuki lounging on an ornate throne. He was dressed in amazingly fine clothing, almost like silk in appearance. Following the checkered theme, the clothes were patterned with great warriors and statesmen. Seeing the princess of Kitch, he sat up.

“Princess Anith, what a surprise. I received no word from Kitch about your coming.” He said.

Azure noticed he had a regal voice, nothing at all like Sisa or the other citizens. Those in Yaku spoke in clipped tones. Whereas the king’s voice was slow and steady.

“I apologize for the unexpected visit, King Inti, but I have grave news to tell.” Anith bowed as she answered, motioning for the others to follow suit.

The king stood after the others bowed. “What news is so terrible a princess of Kitch must tell it?” He said.

“A coup has been performed in Kitch,” Anith said. She then told the king of how she had summoned the heroes and then her mishap. She told him of meeting Lau and him taking them to the village. She talked about how it had been burned, Sisa solemnly nodding along. Finally, she talked of meeting the army and the other heroes. And of Manal’s admission of betrayal.

During that time the king first looked upset, then shocked, and finally angry. “How dare those pale-faced cowards attack my kingdom!” His eyes burned with fury. “Anga!”

A man entered the room. “My king.”

“The elves have taken over the kingdom of Kitch and launched an attack on this kingdom. I need you to make preparations and send messengers to all villages. Prepare scouts as well. We must learn where their army is headed. And call the officials.” The king walked back to his throne.

“At once!” Anga leaped from his bow and rushed off to complete his assignments.

The king then turned back to the group. “Thank you for informing me of this. I will see to it that our borders are protected.”

Anith once again bowed. “I thank you King Inti. However, I fear I must ask more from you. The elves seem to be able to control others with their voice. They are forcing others to do their will. Some of those people are the heroes summoned here. They are not involved in this conflict and I hope to rescue them.”

The king looked to Anith. “I cannot be concerned for people not my own. If they are a danger the army will defend themselves.”

“But they’re our friends!” Liza cried out.

King Inti turned to the girl. “You would weigh the lives of your friends over my subjects. I am the opposite.”

“King Inti, all we ask is for equipment to save them ourselves,” Anith interjected.

The king thought for a moment. “I can allow this. Think of it as the reward for informing Ryum of the Elves betrayal.”

He motioned to a servant standing at his side. “Take them to the crafting district and allow them to equip themselves.”

The servant nodded and then directed the group out. As he led them out, Lau and Sisa said their goodbyes. Sisa was going to visit her brother and Lau would stay with her until the journey back. The rest followed the servant into the crafting district.

The area was a mix of woodworking and blacksmithing, with some pottery thrown in. Other small artisan shops could be found, but the servant led the group straight to one of the blacksmiths. Inside were showcases of tools or armor, with many burly men and women pounding away in the back.

One of them walked up. “Welcome, looking for something? Ain’t seen anyone like ya ‘round here.”

The servant informed the smith of the king’s demand. “Oh, so ya need protection. All of ya?”

Everyone nodded. Though Anith was unsure. “I’ve never actually fought anyone before. Father made me take some defense lessons but it was never meant for warfare.” She whispered to Azure.

Liza was already searching for armor and Lin was talking to the blacksmith. “How much do you know? Any abilities?” He asked Anith.

“Some swordplay. Mostly how to keep someone from stabbing me. All, my abilities are focused on persuasion or faith.” She replied.

“You’re a cleric?” Azure responded.

“I serve the All-Maker. They helped me summon the heroes.” Anith replied.

“Can you use blessings or something similar?” Azure was eyeing a piece of lamellar armor.

“I can beseech the All-Maker, yes, but there is no guarantee he will answer,” Anith replied.

“Good enough. I think we can rely on that. Liza seems to be the physical one and Lin looks to be growing into some sort of wizard. Having a cleric would be good.” Azure muttered to himself.

“Lin! They’re going to make me a metal ball to chuck at people!” Liza shouted, excitement on her face.

“That’s nice,” Lin replied. He was distracted by a set of metal pens on display.

Eventually, the group ordered everything they needed. Measurements were taken and the servant paid the craftsman. It would take a few days to make so the servant led everyone to a guestroom in the palace and left them for the night.