Chapter 9 - Redwood Stars

The trees were massive, which was exactly what Ash had hoped to see from a town named after redwoods. The city was nestled in the shade that they provided at its edges though a massive tree of a different kind dominated the center of the clearing it had grown to fill, protected by a strong earthen wall that was likely formed by several magic users working together. What little she could see from the gate they stopped at told her that Redwood Stars was a very big place.

Upon asking for identification and learning that Ash had none, the guard produced a small orb, "Hand on the orb," he instructed flatly, the warmth from his voice gone at the possibility Ash might be a criminal trying to sneak in.

Ash listened without hesitation, though only because Luna had told her that her race would remain a secret even to the orb. The man read over what he saw a few times nonetheless, frowning as if it didn't make sense.

The silence had lapsed for an uncomfortable time and the paladin's grip had become inescapable iron suddenly by the time the guard finally spoke, "Interesting name you have there. Stranger title. No record, she can pass."

The group split up though Ash noticed the paladin didn't relax his grip on her. Eventually his voice growled lightly in her ear, "It does occur to me that we never exchanged names. I'm Yarrow, Ro to those that don't know me too well. And you are?"

"You can call me Ash," she responded evenly and remained silent until they approached the temple that unmistakably belonged to her god, "Can you release me now? Your armor isn't exactly comfortable."

The temple of Sidus was a marvelous thing carved of black granite flecked with beautiful white and inlaid whether by magic or nature with singular gemstones and geodes that made looking upon it feel like seeing the night sky in all its glory. She knew that a pond lay at the other side of the temple, shielded largely by the two wings of the horseshoe shaped structure. It was where oracles were known to speak to Sidus.

When she'd been very young it had been in person, the massive unicorn protecting her from the elements as they spoke for hours on end. When she'd still been able to call him as an adult it had been words whispered into her ears, always containing the fervent hope that she'd find the person she needed to fix her magic. She'd wondered if the others of her herd were treated much the same but never worked up the courage to ask before tragedy struck.

Ro frowned slightly, "Might I ask about that title the gate guard mentioned?"

Ash shrugged slightly, "Your guess is as good as mine. Don't know how to see it myself and he didn't exactly tell me, as you certainly noticed."

He sighed and released her, "You still need a healer to look at you," he reminded a little coldly.

"Then it's a good thing there will be one in the temple," she felt a lot better after the ride into the city, her mana restored and her body no longer trying to rebel against her. She dismounted from the wolf with ease, pausing to offer it a grateful scratch behind the ear for bearing her weight before turning to ascend the steps of the temple.

She felt and equally heard Ro following her up the steps at a quick pace, his wolf angling off towards what was clearly some form of stables where it no doubt had a comfortable den awaiting it.

Ash couldn't keep herself from commenting though, "So, you don't take the time to remove your mount's saddle and care for him," she observed with clear judgement in the tones of her voice.

"I normally would," he responded evenly, "But it's not every day the gate guard notes someone's title as being strange. I would like to find out more and if you don't know, there are plenty of people here within the temple that can find out."

Ash snorted slightly and slid through the doors, breathing in the soft air of the temple. It smelled like home. It also reacted a lot like her home did to her return. Magic sparked along every inch of stone, lighting the gems into beautiful constellations and galaxies. There was a reason Ash very rarely visited temples of Sidus: the buildings themselves could recognize what she was even if the people within did not. A Starborn Unicorn had set foot into the temple and it practically sang in welcome.

By the time Ro stepped through the doors her long legged gait had already taken her a ways into the temple towards the small door that would lead her to the pond. Considering the way the temple was reacting to her presence, no one moved to stop her.

Yarrow, on the other hand, was too busy contemplating all the ways the temple could fall under harm to even pay much attention to the light display going on. It had happened some weeks prior when another Godsborn had come into the temple. The Starlight Elf had delighted in the reaction and seemed to do so every time she'd visited after. He assumed she was present once more and rushed to catch up to the woman he was beginning to decide to name an intruder.

He'd never heard the guard speak to someone in such a way. He also neglected to keep in mind that she was the first Godsborn he'd escorted into the city personally. He scowled slightly, lost in thought. She hadn't given her name despite being given his, something he considered terribly rude. She'd gone further to say she had no idea how to find out what the title he spoke of was, which seemed odd. Every Godsborn he'd ever met knew exactly how to operate all of the magics that made lives easier.

She was also headed for the sanctuary nestled at the back of the temple, judging by the direction she was walking. If she'd been after a healer, she'd have stopped and asked where to find one.