A Quick Passage of Time

Standing at the front gate of Clan Song's home in the NQSC, over a hundred people waited anxiously for the hour to strike.

Leaning against a cart of her worldly belongings, Noble took a deep breath. Her heart was beating wildly.

'It…it's really happening.'

The last month had passed in a blur.

In that time, Noble and Sarai had shown Jet the rest of the ins and outs of Crestfall, including the secret passages inside the palace's walls.

Soul Reaper seemed a bit wistful about them leaving but understood that government directives were not something to be taken lightly. Jet promised to take good care of things as long as she was there.

Noble had done what she could to help with the reconstruction of the wall. The pink stone was fully cleared away and was steadily being replaced with its non-magical counterpart.

It would still take some time before being fully completed, but the influx of government soldiers had sped up construction considerably. Noble was satisfied that it was being left under Venster's competent leadership. The man was not willing to take any more shortcuts, examining each section personally to attest to its fortitude.

As for the rest of the city, Catphine and Hamish became trusted stewards. With Catphine's ability to find where things belonged and Hamish's unwavering commitment to make sure things were done right, the two had earned the respect of the others tethered to Crestfall.

They were young but capable. And that kind of boundless energy was exactly what the budding citadel needed.

Things were being left in good hands. For that, Noble was very grateful.

The house had sold quickly as well. Much of the furniture was moved to a small living space on Academy grounds, and the rest was being put into storage until Sarai could transfer it to the Dream Realm with her Ability.

That connection which allowed them to transfer so many of their mundane possessions was going to make her family wealthier than most of the inhabitants of the Dream Realm.

A few of the other government agents traveling with them had asked Sarai to move things for them as well at some point in the near future. They offered her enough money to make her reconsider being used as a courier.

Abyss already set up their joint shop, and with this opportunity, the beautiful baker was on track to be a business mogul before ever reaching Ravenheart.

Just now while they waited, someone was asking Sarai for a very particular request. In response, the redhead shifted uncomfortably.

"I'm not sure, Moose. Exactly how big is a ring of peaches?" Sarai's beautiful eyes were filled with confusion.

"It isn't a ring of peaches. It is peach rings," Moose explained enthusiastically, "Look here!" He pulled out a sugary piece of peach-colored candy from his pack. "Try it!"

"Alright," Sarai graciously accepted the treat and took a small bite. Her eyes opened slightly. "It's very good!"

"Right! I would only need a case or two delivered every other day." Moose rubbed his hands together. "So, what do you say, will you help me?"

"A...A case or two?!" Sarai brought her hand to her cheek.

"I know it doesn't sound like a lot for something so delicious," Moose nodded seriously, "but I have been trying to cut back."

"I see," the baker scratched her nose. "Here's the thing...." 

'Poor Sarai. The struggles of being popular," Noble watched the scene from close by.

Seeing her friend floundering, Noble decided to send in reinforcements.

"Rainy, go rescue your Auntie Sarai. She's having trouble saying no again," she whispered to her daughter.

The teen snapped out of her daze and nodded with a faint smile. "I'm on it."

"Thanks, Sweetheart."

Rain wandered over to the pair as casually as she could. "Oh! What do you have there, Aunt Sarai?" She indicated the half-ring still left in the baker's hand.

Moose's face lit up. "It's a peach ring, of course. Have you heard of them?"

Tapping her chin, Rain puckered her lips, "I have not. Tell me more."

"Why, they are the dead gods' gift to humanity! You haven't really lived until…"

While Moose waxed philosophically on the virtues of peach-flavored candy, Sarai squeezed Rain's arm in thanks and backed away slowly.

'Crisis averted.'

After making sure Rain was able to handle the candy conversation on her own, Noble looked around at the rest of the crowd.

This was the first group of people from the NQSC heading to Ravenheart.

The gate had only arrived the day before, and within an hour of its arrival, the Dreamgate from Valor manifested as well. When Noble asked her husband if it was coordination or competition that had both gates arrive at the same time, Fort had answered, "Both."

Eventually, the people of the outskirts would have the opportunity to make a new life in the Dream Realm, but this first batch of travelers was comprised of hand-selected people. Most were government agents and their families, but others were businessmen or had special skills that were highly desired in Ravenheart.

The plumber standing nearby her had been given a large stipend to come on the existing crew that was trying to solve the citadel's growing sewage problem. Noble did not envy him one bit.

Other than her own family and Sarai, Noble only knew a few of the faces around her. The most recognizable was Teddy, Fort's assistant, who jumped at the chance to move offices. 

The lady had not wanted her boss or his wife to leave without her, so she had arrived extra early and was the closest to the gate. 

Another friendly face was Renle, a government agent who had previously worked with Noble's mother on her project in the outskirts.

The man was memorable not only for the difference he made in getting additional electrical power rerouted to the most impoverished areas but also for his peculiar appearance.

The man had no eyebrows and only a single strand of hair on his head. Why he didn't cut the strand, Noble wasn't sure. Maybe it was his flaw?

It had taken a large amount of willpower for Noble not to stare at the extremely long strand when the kind man had come over to check on the well-being of her and her family.

Noble wondered if Renle had been asked by Lena to check up on her.

'If you did, thanks, mom.'

The parting that morning had been an emotional one. Many tears were shed and promises made. No matter what, they were family and not even a death zone between them could change that. Julius had promised to take care of his wife, and Noble believed him.

Her mother would be just fine until she found a way to see Lena again.

Focusing back on the present, Noble noticed her husband talking with one of the soldiers. She thought his name was Anas.

The mundane soldier was part of the government escort. He and the other soldiers were there as part of a peacekeeping unit. Their job was to make sure that the contingent made it safely into the Dreamgate and also did not disturb the compound of Clan Song.

This was the beginning of many similar trips, and things needed to go smoothly. If anything went wrong, it could derail the whole operation and make the situation in Ravenheart and the NQSC worse than before.

The government could not afford to alienate Clan Song.

Clearing his throat, Anas spoke over the crowd. "Alright everyone, I need your attention. Please gather your things. Form an orderly line and we will begin."

"Mom, mom!" Brock's and Blaze's overlapping voices accompanied their hurried arrival from a nearby group of children. "Is it time?"

Noble glanced toward her husband who nodded as he neared. "Yes, boys. The time has come."

A moment later, the gate of the fortress began to open.