"Just tell them I'm in an important meditation, or that I'm sleeping. Any excuse to brush them off will do."
Ithilien wanted to say more, but Violet's Spirit Body had already dissipated into the moonlight.
All she could do was shake her head helplessly.
She summoned Old Bloom from the night watch, and together they proceeded to the main entrance connecting the Underground City to the Tree Spirit Territory.
They had just arrived when they heard the sound of flapping wings from within the passage.
A moment later, Chen Yu emerged from the dark passage, riding on Xiaoka's back. He landed lightly on the soft grass in front of Ithilien.
"Welcome, Your Majesty." Ithilien curtsied gracefully, while Old Bloom gave a slight bow at her side.
Chen Yu gave a slight wobble in return, then followed Ithilien to her mushroom-like wooden house nestled beneath a large tree.
