Across the shacks of the portal, in the world of Rahas, was Barrier Hills, a city in the land of Cadins, the Golden Hills. And within Barrier Hills, sheltered by the surrounding mountains on a flat ground, few miles above the plains, was the City hall of Barrier Hills.
The building had been making preparations for accommodating the other officials of Golden Hills, for it was almost the time for the festival of Beads of Seven. It had been fourteen years since the last festival had taken place and the war that had occurred seven years ago had taken more than just the festival.
Aaliyah, the head steward of Barrier Hills, sauntered across the bridge that connected her office to the building. As she walked, she tried to calm herself by focusing on sound of trinkling small stream running underneath.
She was wearing the necessary formal clothing for the occasion, consisting of a tunic that reached the knees with loose trousers, with a belt wrapped around her waist giving her silhouette a neat form, all in varying shades of deep red and gold, the colours of the Golden Cadins. For the past two months, Aaliyah had been busy with the preparations for the festival, organizing and attending the meetings between various committees, negotiating with various intermediaries and dealers for supplies and travel. The bustling commotion helped her, it would take her mind off the loneliness she usually feels at her home.
Aaliyah paused and looked down at the valley. A small breeze flew, rustling the small foliage that grew on the steep sides of the cliff overlooking into the city. The last six years had been tough for not only the Cadins but the rest of Ushara as well. Every city within each country was recovering from the effects of the war, a war that did as much as to its victors as to its defeated.
Therefore it was essential that the Beads of Seven festival go as smoothly and be celebrated as vibrantly as it could. It was a symbol of encouragement and hope, that there are only to be wonderful times ahead. That the hardships were over and it was time for prosperity and wealth.
Or so, Aaliyah is hoping. As she took in a deep breath, watching the city lights come alive in the valley, a strange feeling singed in her.
There was shift, a shift that is only noticeable to someone who is a well-trained Cadin, as the dimensional waves shimmered quietly in the distance. This did not alarm Aaliyah as shimmering of the boundaries of a city was normality in the world of Rahas. The dimensions were always interacting with one another, and such distant shimmers were nothing of concern.
Aaliyah looked towards North and shook her head. Having taken the time that she only had for that momentary calmness, she turned around and strode towards the building.
***
It may have been just the soft brushing of the leaf, but Tara's eyes shot open as it snaked its way around her neck. A brilliant canopy stood above her, the shadow of it forming kaleidoscopic patterns against the sky. Tara felt herself breath and her eyes crunch at the brilliant daylight.
Her body ached, probably because she slept on the cold hard ground, without any support. As she pushed herself off ground to sit up straight, the earth underneath her squished slightly, causing the mud to rub off in her hands. Her tights were ripped at the calves and she ran her fingers through the red slash across her skin.
A wave of disbelief washed into her as she tried to comprehend the events of the day before, forming pictures into it one by one. Tara felt her heart tremble and she broke into tears, not knowing what she was doing or what she has to do.
She looked around her trying in her blurry vision to make out her environment. Against the backdrop of the various shades of green, the trunks of the trees stood tall and dark, allowing only patches of sunlight fall onto the ground. The ground was covered in soft green moss and the air was cool, yet not so cold that she needed a jacket to cover herself. Her memory was still foggy, and even then, she knew that only bits of it made sense.
She bent her knees, trying her best to get up. Her knees hurt, and she knew she was a mess, her hands were covered in dirt with a shadow of green and she dusted off the moss sticking to her jacket as the blood rushed to her legs. Becoming cold was not something she needed to worry about. It was her and her mother's specialty, being able to keep themselves warm even against the frigid temperatures.
But it was starvation and thirst she was worried about. The surrounding coldness helped with the thirst, but Tara was hungry. And so tired, so dead tired. Her hands slipped against the trees as she got up, causing her to stumble, but she held on with her shaking knees and trudged slowly.
The forest was unwittingly green, she felt, almost as if it were alive with the color. Had she had more energy she would have appreciated it. She shook her tears off and took long breaths. She must now focus just on finding help and civilization.
At least before she collapses in exhaustion.
***
From the edge of the cliff, one could see the rolling hills of cascading green behind the small town of brick and wood. The sky was a light peaceful blue, the clouds soft and white, and the sunlight just mild enough unlike the ones in the late afternoon when it would be harsher. Arion strapped the belts of his leather wings tightly onto his waist. It was not every day that he went gliding, but if one gets the time, one should do it.
Arion took in a deep breathe and ran towards the edge of the cliff. As reached the end, he leapt into the air and swung his arms, causing a bolt of pressure and dived into the depths. The fabric wings, with its wooden skeleton, opened up immediately because of the strong air pressure, causing his lift, further into the sky.
Once the wings eased into the wind, Arion shifted its direction downwards, helping him glide above the town. It was not technically flying, but Kazes could manipulate the air pressure and the winds in order to stay afloat for fairly a good amount of time with their mechanical wings.
The wings had been a gift from his mother. It was part of her scouter's equipment when she had been in the Inter-Dimensional Committee or the IDC. She would tell him and his siblings about the adventures she had had when going on missions into the other dimensions, about how she would use her air elemental abilities to fly about in the air, scouting and how she would use her Silver Cadin magic to make herself invisible to the ground below.
Arion would sit there and listen to these stories with wonder in his eyes, and when his mother would manipulate the air around and slowly allow a breeze the flow through his hair, he could almost feel as if he were also there with his mother, scouting for infringements amongst the strings of dimensions.
Arion slowly descended down to the valley to explore the rest of the town. Down on the streets, there was a lot of bustling in the streets even though most of them were closed. A few of them worked very late into the afternoon. The produce in the farmers shops levitated into the sacks and disappeared into the gaping holes next them while the potions and the herbs, closed themselves into large briefcases and fell lightly into their owner's hands. Unlike the Great Upperwest, very less vehicles zoomed past Arion as glided across the town as the country mostly used portals as a means of transportation.
The hustle of the town slowly faded away into silence as Arion shifted himself up towards the quieter slopes. The higher altitudes reduced the heat and a cool wind drifted gently. West Hills was restricted area and no one was allowed to enter it. Portals cannot be opened from the city because of strong barrier spells surrounding it and anyone trying to enter it through the walking paths would be stopped by the officers of the IDC themselves.
Through an opening among the canopies something peculiar caught the corner of his eye. He could make out a bed of black and pink sprawled across against the lush green in a humanoid sihoutte. Arion tilted inwards and straightened his leather wings, turning himself about and returning back to the opening.
After circling the area for three to four times, he slowly descended to the ground, a few feet away from the figure. He realised it was a young girl, almost his age, wearing what looked like a pink cotton ball like skirt that took up the entirety of her body.
Her unnatural looking overcoat was torn and she looked wounded, a gnash across her calf and bruises on her face. Her face showed perspiration, but she was unmoving. Arion treaded closely towards her. He slowly picked up the girl's hand, but was loose and fell down with exhaustion.
'Hey.' He said as he gently tapped across her face. He saw a single tear somehow trace it's way down her face into the ground. Not missing another second, Arion put his hands underneath her arms and legs and picked her up.
Allowing the air to accumulate underneath him, he pushed himself off the ground and towards Aaliyah's office.
***
Inside the Chamber of Genesis, at the City Hall in Barrier Hills, the wall sconces blazed steadily, lighting the expansive ceiling in warm orange gold. The smooth mahogany benches were arranged in layered rings, each outer ring at higher level than the previous. Various administrative heads from around Golden Hills were sitting at these smooth benches all facing to the center, towards Aaliyah and her Silver Cadin, Sadabrasi.
'For the security of the event, we have involved the security from within the Legion of Cadin Circle Five.' Aaliyah spoke, continuing on her previous dictation. From the raised platform at the center, it felt like she was looking down on everyone else. 'As well as we have requested for a unit from the Empress's Bannermen as well.'
'My dear fellow Cadins,' Sadabrasi, her Silver Cadin counterpart added in support. 'The Beads of Seven Festival is happening after seven years. We know the utmost importance of the security there.'
'Exactly our point.' Someone stood up from the last circle. 'When something as sacred as the Beads of Seven Festival is happening, why must the security be brought in from outside, Lady Aaliyah?'
'Sir Ayse, in the world of today, we will not be able to distinguish between who is a Cadin and who is not. Unfortunately, a few illusion spells is enough to help someone masquerade as a Cadin.' Aaliyah replied. 'But it is necessary that, we require enough security for the Beads of Seven Festival, and bringing in the Bannermen are just another necessary part of the step.'
'Moreover, the unit of Bannermen will be placed at the outmost circle of the Festival.' Sadabrasi continued on. 'That way, only the Legion will be involved inside the circle of the runes and only Cadins will be present there.'
'I still do not believe that we need an outside involvement in our sacred festival.' Sir Ayse asked again.
'As mentioned before, Sir Ayse, we need the unit because of the exact security reason.' Aaliyah replied back, her voice steady yet forceful. 'We have had a war only a few years ago, and I do not need to remind anyone, what has happened to Jade Forest because of the misstep that had happened in their security.'
'But that has happened seven years ago, Aaliyah.' Another old woman, Brahilda spoke. 'It looks as if, the Golden Hills is still reliving in the effects of a war it never wanted to participate in. Must we, show case ourselves like this?'
'We have not yet had complete peace.' Sadabrasi answered. 'Unfortunately, we believe we should not be taking the process of security of the hundreds of thousands of Cadin, lightly.'
There was a commotion amongst the crowd. It didn't favour Aaliyah and Sadabrasi in the least way possible.
'This meeting has gone on for far too long.' Aaliyah finally said firmly. 'Let us adjourn this and discuss about the execution in the next ones. We shall continue the discussion in the next meeting which will be scheduled next week.'
There was commotion and disturbance as everyone rose from their desks and started walking towards the exit. The brightly blazing fires slowly dimmed the room emptied out slowly.
Once everyone had left, Sadabrasi walked towards Aaliyah. 'I told you we will be met with clashes like this.'
Aaliyah shook her head. 'I wish their arguments were better. The Beads of Seven Festival is bigger than any fake Cadin posing and we have not had any in the past fourteen years.'
She picked up the rest of the papers on the table, rolled them individually and placed them into her leather case, buckling it close. 'I doubt one of them have even read one page of it.'
Sadabrasi placed her hand on Aaliyah's shoulder. 'Its alright. They can't do anything about it right now.'
Aaliyah nodded as they calmly strolled to the exit, the flames slowly dimming causing the chamber to become completely enveloped in the darkness. The day was done and the headache for the rest of the discussion was as far away as the next week was.
As Aaliyah walked out, her secretary jumped out of nowhere, surprising her.
'Dear Seraphina! Nesrin, you know better than to come at me like that.' Aaliyah exclaimed and collecting herself, she looked at Nesrin who looked a bit more worried than usual. 'What is it, now?'
Nesrin pulled out a small piece of paper from her sleeve and adjusted her glasses as peered into it and read. 'You have two visitors, Aurome.'
Aaliyah and Sadabrasi exchanged alarmed glances and immediately stepped closer to Nesrin. 'Do not address her like that out so aloud, girl.' Sadabrasi scolded her.
Nesrin nodded nervously. 'I apologize. Master Arion had brought in a girl today afternoon and Sevianth from IDC is waiting for you in your office.' She said, rushedly.
Aaliyah turned towards Sadabrasi. 'I thought Arion was not involved with anyone.'
Sadabrasi blinked her cloudy greys back at Aaliyah just as confused. 'Even if he is why would he tell his aunt about it?'
Aaliyah shrugged. 'Where is the boy?'
'In the healing billets.' Nesrin answered.
'Good, then it can wait.' Aaliyah turned towards Sadabrasi. 'I will send him across later tonight, but right now-'
'Sevianth, I understand.' Sadabrasi nodded. 'I will see you tomorrow then.'
Aaliyah nodded back at her and started walking towards her office, Nesrin promptly following her. She heels clacked across the bridge, echoing as she brisked her way to the opposite side of the flowing stream. 'I do not want anyone to be around my office when I am talking to Sevianth, Nesrin. I hope that is understood?'
Nesrin nodded silently.
'Do you have any idea what this is about?' she asked opening the main door to her building. Her secretary simply shook her head. Aaliyah frowned at her disappointedly and simply strutted off over the bridge towards her office.
The great big doors of the City Hall opened its door automatically as Aaliyah marched in towards her office. When she opened the door to her office, she found the man sitting at her table admiring the valley beneath. He was dressed in the white overcoat that almost reached the floor, his glasses translucent shade of brown, his arms clasped around a file with hardbound covers. The sound of the door opening had reached him and he turned towards Aaliyah.
As soon as he saw her, he stood up and bowed.
'I believe it has been quite the busy night, Aurome.'
Aaliyah paused. 'It was quite the busy night, Sevianth.'
Sevianth nodded his head. 'I was told to contact you.'
'Lajos?' Aaliyah asked, already knowing the answer.
'I cannot tell you, Aurome.'
Aaliyah didn't reply as she walked to her chair. Once she sat down, she looked at him straight and asked. 'What brings you here, Sevianth?'
'We have two unsupervised portal openings.'
Aaliyah's breath halted for a second in surprise, but she managed to recover immediately and calmly spoke to him. 'Please explain.'
'One was to Earth and the other one was from Earth. In fact, the latter one helped me notice the first one.' He answered.
'Aren't you in charge of monitoring the portals.'
He nodded reluctantly. 'Yes, I am. That's why I came here. The first one happened a few days ago, when there was a high Interdimensional interaction going on and no alarms were raised. Therefore, it went unnoticed.'
Aaliyah frowned. 'Not everyone knows when that happens. And how did it go unnoticed for so long, Sevianth?' Aaliyah asked. 'What about the second one?'
'It happened yesterday night.'
'So, you believe someone was actually trying to get onto Earth and come back in the span of a few days?' Aaliyah asked.
'They knew to look for a portal when there was a high Interdimensional activity going, knowing that everyone would be distracted.'
'No. What I meant is, what is the motive?' Aaliyah pointed out. 'Earth is not where you would want to go for any illicit activity because being on Earth is like losing a limb. Your elemental powers are at minimal level.'
'Unless there is interdimensional activity happening in that space.'
'Unless you are a runaway.' Aaliyah shook her head. 'Even with the interdimensional activity, there is too less of it.'
Sevianth sighed in defeat. 'Aurome, I do not know the motive. I was asked to come here, in order to inform you about the same.' He said, as he raised the file in his hand and tapped on it.
Aaliyah shrugged and relaxed back on to her chair.
Sevianth pushed his eyeglasses back and opened the file, skimming through it, making sure every relevant information was present. 'Oh, I forgot to mention, the second portal seemed to have unstable energy coming off it.'
Aaliyah tilted her head. 'What do you mean by unstable energy?'
'A Realmtear provides stable portals, Aurome.' He replied. 'This one had too much evocation and conjuration energy, you know, mostly the golden energy.'
She sank back into her chair , as she felt realization sink in. Sevianth looked at her worryingly as she pondered with her hands clasped on her knees. She slowly placed her hands on her table and leaned towards Sevianth. 'Let this remain between, me, you and Lajos for now. I will need more details on the first opening and where it happened and to where on Earth it happened.'
Sevianth nodded and got up. Before he exited the door, Aaliyah spoke again. 'And Sevianth.'
'Track if another portal is being made from Earth back to Rahas.' Aaliyah replied. 'And monitor it, with utmost diligence.'
Sevianth paused but nodded immediately with an enthusiastic fervour before disappearing out the door. He would be using the staircases inside the mountains for his silent exit. It was necessary that no one knows about his visit to an administrative head in Golden Hills.
When she became sure he had left the premises of her office and that of the City Hall, Aaliyah stepped outside her office and walked towards her secretary, who was calmly sitting at her desk, reading on a book. When Nesrin saw her coming towards her, she closed her book and sat up diligently.
'The girl Arion brought, where was she again?' Aaliyah asked.
As if to answer Aaliyah, there was sudden outburst in the distance causing Nesrin to jump. They walked outside and see the fire blazing on the rooftops near the clock tower.
'She is supposed to be there.' Nesrin replied. 'In the healing billets.'