They wandered the city, stopping in shops whenever someone expressed interest. They, after all, were out for a leisurely day and not a particular purpose. Ash enjoyed it thoroughly considering Luna hadn't lied about how long it had been.
The thought came unbidden of their last such outing, a joy filled day punctuated with the laughter of both of Luna's children. She missed those days, she realized, missed being able to live her life.
Feeling suddenly a little melancholy as well as just a little overwhelmed by the amount of noise around, Ash gently excused herself as everyone headed for the next shop. She motioned towards the Star Ash that grew in the center of the town, saying she'd wait there for everyone.
It was peaceful near the tree, most people staying a respectful distance away. She sat down under the tree, but not leaning against it as that felt a little too much in the city where even the followers of Sidus had no knowledge of her. Reaching out a tentative hand, she brushed a root near her, feeling the magic pulsing through the tree. It felt as if the tree greeted her but it did not show her its growth as the ones in Redwood Stars and her grove had.
Eventually, she closed her eyes though she wasn't sleeping, just enjoying the peace around her. A slight commotion drew her eyes open and she saw a number of paladins of various gods marching through the city as if looking for something. She stood, deciding to head to meet up with everyone else and began to walk away from the tree.
A large amount of yelling started behind her as she hit the edge of the square and though she paid it no mind. After all, considering how striking her shirt and hair both were, she'd been pretty certain they'd seen her sitting there and seen when she stood as well. The magic that wrapped around her to bar her path, though, told her without doubt that the shouting was directed at her.
She turned to face the paladins, hands carefully not in her pockets though she was unarmed anyway. Since they were within the boundaries of the city, she was safe from attack but didn't want to take any chances.
Her caution was proven necessary as one of them cast something that wrapped around her in an attempt to seal her magic. Her magic snapped against it as if in defiance and shattered the spell without her input. She took a deep breath and watched as they all drew their weapons and moved to surround her.
"You will come with us, immediately, and you will not resist or reach for anything. If you so much as touch your inventory, one of us will put a blade right through you, understood?"
"Understood," she responded and followed their lead through the city. She didn't dare to reach for a single menu though after they'd walked quite a ways from the tree she felt a familiar resonance in her magic. Luna had come looking for her and found her missing, which meant the priestess would catch up swiftly considering she wasn't moving at a snail's pace like they were.
Their strange little procession had just set foot onto the steps of the temple of Virtus when Luna and the others rushed up. Several paladins turned weapons on the approaching strangers only to have tokens of high ranking within the temple of Sidus pulled in response.
Gardenia was the one to speak, her normally warm voice cold with anger, "That is our friend and I would like to know what you want with her. Immediately."
One of the paladins of Virtus met the angry priestess' gaze evenly, "Questioning in regards to a number of events that have been going on in Gold Arches. This person fits a general description we've gotten."
"As much as I respect your desire for the truth," Gardenia responded, "I can guarantee that our friend is not related to any of it."
"Your friend took their leave the moment we entered into the vicinity of the Star Ash that protects this city. On top of that, after we stopped them, they had the audacity to cancel the spell we used to bind their magic to make them less of a threat. We had every right to put a blade through them right then."
A well-armored paladin stepped out of the temple of Virtus, his armor much the same as Ailanthus' had been though it covered every inch of him save the marvelous feathers of his broad wings. They were a beautiful shade of deep indigo that turned brighter along the way down to its ends as if they burned with a blue-violet flame.
Ashterra looked up at him and offered a gentle nod of acknowledgement. She knew who approached even if no other did with all of the armor he wore.
Magic wove around her, a contract beginning, "You will answer my questions," there was no other option given, no other clause to the contract. She knew what would happen if she broke it, though, and knew that his phrasing protected her as well. He would ask no questions she was unable to answer, the paladins around her would not provide her the same courtesy.
"I will," two simple words sealed the contract.
"How long have you been in Gold Arches?" He asked the question, calmly placing the tip of his sword against the stairs.
"A few hours," she responded, answering his follow up question that it was her first time visiting the city.
"Do you have vampirism?"
That question surprised her, though she answered truthfully, "I am unable to contract it."
"Have you killed anyone, Godsborn or Earthborn?"
"No," she responded simply.
"She is not the one you seek," the paladin said simply, "Return to your search, else your target may slip away."
Ashterra watched them go, remaining silent until the steps of the temple were empty of all save the paladin and her companions. Only then did she turn her attention back to him again and offer a slightly more substantial bow.
"Lord Virtus. Thank you for your assistance."
He gave a slight nod, "Better I step in and calmly resolve it than let Sidus go on a rampage over blades pointed at his treasured young one," he turned and started back up the stairs, "I would advise all of you stop by the guild in town and register yourself as visitors here. They will mark you with magic so such a thing will not happen again. They will also explain why it is necessary."