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Dialogue color: #6A0888
Thought color: #404040
The horse caravan stopped at the border of the old Chamaeleon. It was a tragic sight, coming out from green and lively pine forest to see nothing but death. Akai had never understood it. Even with the destruction of Chamaeleon why was the land that used to be Leo's also destroyed? Now they had no chance to get their land back.
“Are you okay Red tide?” a voice behind her woke her up from her thoughts. Akai turned around and gave a small smile to Jinhai, her brother-in-law. His nicknames for her brought a hint of normality to her otherwise strict appearance as ruler. “I am. It's just so sad to think what this land once used to be.” He patted her shoulder as he passed her and they continued the trip towards the glowing orange star. May the stars guide you - quite literally.
5 people, 5 horses and two carriages full of water and food as well as poles and large piece of fabric to make a shelter for the horses for the hottest hours of the day. Besides Akai and Jinhai, there was three Chunins following her as usual. It was one of the few things she had been got used to during her time as ruler; always having bodyguards around. Before they had left few Leos had spend time exploring the dead land and Akai had made travelling plans according to their reports. They would travel at nights when it was cooler and rest at day time. She wanted to make sure the horses would survive the trip as she couldn't see animals suffer. If it wasn't for her dislike of heights she had taken airship.
* * * * *
Once they had reached the meeting place Jinhai let out a low whistle watching the sudden grassy path and whispered to Akai: “Magic?” “I think so" she replied as she slowly slid down from the saddle. She didn't walk up to table quite yet, her heart was beating fast and her ears twitched from nervousness. The scene in front if her was something she hadn't prepared for. Who were all those people? Creatures? Why were they here? Was she in danger?
“Calm down kitten", Jinhai petted her back calmingly seeing her nervousness.
Akai nodded but her body was tense.
“Akai", he said firmly, “Look at me.”
She turned around to face him.
“Focus. Remember your training of the mind.” Jinhai didn't fully understand the meaning behind those words, but it was something his brother, Akai's late husband, used to say to her. And once again it seemed to work. She took a step back, closed her eyes and steadied her breathing. With her breath steady her mind become at ease. She wasn't comfortable around too many people, but she would do as she always did: observe. She could tell so much about people just by observing their behaviour and listening their voice - and especially the words left unsaid.
“That's it. Now show them who Shizukana Kaen truly is.”
Akai walked towards the table and took her seat couple chairs from Scorpio who was only one there yet. “Greetings. You must be Sovereign Scorpio, correct? she said politely with much calmer tone now. She eyed the woman behind her seat from the corner of her eye. Her hair resembled a lion mane, and she was so muscular. Completely opposite of her own slim body. She felt almost ashamed to be seated next to a strong woman like her, her whole posture screaming the proudness of lioness and strength only a mother lion would have when defending her cubs. “I'm in completely wrong place.” she thought in her mind but her expression stayed the same. She could only hope the meeting would go on peacefully.