“What an incredible person, don’t you agree, Reny?”
“She sure is.”
Hilda and I are both advancing through the road on our riding beasts. I’m riding Hipota with Chita, and Hilda is with Pentacles.
Hilda’s is pretty unique. It’s like a big polypore.
Apparently it was that riding beast that took her to the roof of the cathedral last night too.
She says its name is Nokoshika. That transmuted beast has a comfortable place to sit, and Hilda is sitting there looking very elegant.
I think it’s strange how Nokoshika is even moving forward, so I ask her about it. She says it moves by rippling directly on the ground, and shows it to me. It’s a really interesting way to move.
But what dominates our conversation is the audience we just had with Queen Kalin Roux Admiral.
I’ve heard about her from people like my dad and Roa, but actually having an audience with her left a deep impression on me.
“I never expected Queen Admiral to express worry for my father. ‘Your father’s alchemy has brought to our country wonderful results in the field of mycology. The development and propagation of several preserved foods has saved lives. I pray for his speedy recovery.’ she said.”
Hilda memorized everything Queen Admiral said without missing a word. I guess that’s just how happy she is with it.
“That was great, Hilda.”
“Yes. But Queen Admiral also complimented your mother and father. Aren’t you happy?”
“I am, but it feels kind of weird.”
I give her kind of a muddy response, because something stuck out to me.
In my first audience with Queen Admiral, to my eyes at least, she felt like Her Eminence Taula, who had god descend upon her.
Of course, she didn’t have that air of divinity Her Eminence had during the great oracle rite, but it felt like her being is deeper than a regular person’s.
Now that I think about it, I remember my father saying something. Queen Kalin has super strength because she descends from a race of giants.
But she’s small, so maybe that blood manifested itself in some other way other than her body.
I think about that as I talk to a very excited Hilda, until Pentacles suddenly yells.
“Enemy approaching! Ladies, be careful!”
She says while pointing back.
I don’t know how many there are, but I see monsters running this way, chasing our riding beasts as they run down this road.
