Finally strong enough to walk around two days later, Marley and Omnira went for a walk around Trenchtown. Marley was not sure what he expected to see, but this was not it. Everyone seemed happy, or at least, content in the life they carved out for themselves. As he and his companion stopped and talked to people, they greeted each other warmly and no one treated him contemptuously or as an outsider. It was more kindness than he had experienced in his whole life. He was dressed as one of them, a light pair of sandals, thin linen pants, and a sleeveless linen shirt, all in various shades of brown. He wondered if he would be treated differently if he was in his normal uniform and they could plainly see who he was. As it was, everyone addressed him as either 'stranger' or 'friend' without bothering to ask questions. The prince had to admit he much preferred this to the coldness of the palace.
Omnira bumped Marley's shoulder, shaking him from his thoughts. She smiled up at him offering him meat on a stick. Marley wasn't sure what kind of meat it was, but it smelled amazing. Omnira watched him as he tasted it then giggled as his eyes went wide as if it was the best thing he had ever tasted. He nearly inhaled the first stick, and she wordlessly handed him another. He moaned his thanks as he tore into it. She smiled watching the handsome man eat thinking about all the time over the year she had seen him in passing over the years. He never looked as happy as he did right then. She pictured the two of them sharing a meal in their own house, sharing a meal as she rested her head on his shoulder. She blushed and shook her head trying to clear her mind of the thought. Marley noticed this and looked at her quizzically but decided not to comment. At that moment a runner approached them stating that the matriarch wanted to see them both.
The runner led them to a large tent made of animal hide. The inside was lit with a dim blue light, Marley found it strange because he couldn't locate the source of the light. His eyes came to the other end of the tent where there sat a small pool of water surrounded by smooth white stones. The pool gave off a gentle blue glow that seemed to get brighter as he got closer. Once he had gotten as close as he dared, he looked up, finally noticing the woman sitting on a pillow opposite him. She was watching him intently, but not in a way that felt ominous or threatening. Marley noticed she looked exactly like Omnira, except she was obviously older, and her hair was pure white and fell all the way to the woman's waist. They locked eyes and Marley saw a light blue glow in her's, it was so faint that he couldn't tell if glow came from her eyes or if they simply reflected the light of the pool.
"Hello young one." She said with a warm smile and her voice sounding ethereal as if another entity was speaking with her, or through her. "I have waited so long to meet you." This confused Marley. It was the second time he had heard this sentiment from someone he was fairly certain he had no connection with. He decided the best move was to just smile and bow respectfully. "I am Azaacar, the spirit of nature for this planet, this vessel is Raeni, the high priestess and leader of these people, your people. This woman will tell you of your past, I have come to tell you of your destiny. You have been blessed as my Champion. One day soon you will free these people of their bondage. First you must learn of me and the power then runs through your veins. You will endure a trial of hardship at the end of which you will emerge as the champion you are destined to be. I will guide you, as I always have, to become the sword and shield these people need." she smiled again "That is all for now. We will speak again when the time is right."
With that Azaacar relinquished control of Raeni and she slumped forward. Omnira gaped, she had been raised to believe in Azaacar and in her mother as a priestess, but she had never heard from the goddess directly. She looked over at the man she had spent the day with and could immediately tell he was just as gob smacked as she was. Raeni took a deep breath as she began to sit up as if waking from a deep sleep. She looked at the faces of her two visitors then smiled excitedly. "She was here, wasn't she?! Our goddess came to visit! Please, sit! Tell me everything!"
Back at the palace, a Rednasi man in a long brown hooded cloak knelt before Greyson as he gave his report. When he was finished, Greyson dismissed him quickly then smiled an evil grin. He hurriedly contacted his cabal, telling them to be ready to move out inside the hour. He contemplated informing his mother but decided it best to wait for success before announcing himself. On the off chance he failed, the Queen could not begrudge him something she didn't know about. He got up and dressed slowly. He had been waiting for this. Cloe's network had indeed proved useful. He thought briefly about their deal then quickly dismissed the thought. There was no way a prince of the empire would debase himself with a common soldier. It was a simple matter honestly; he would just have to make sure the woman met with an untimely accident before she called in her little favor. More important than that, it was time to go collect his brother. Greyson anticipated some resistance from the slaves harboring him, but that was also a small matter. There was no conceivable way a bunch of lowly slaves could stand up to his squad of killing machines. He would only have to walk in and demand they give up his brother. If they refuse, he'll simply set fire to the village and leave just enough standing to keep his mother off his back. Greyson was excited. This would be glorious.