I turn back to the humans, letting the essence of the mountain seep into my pores. I feel the thrum of the magic—of my home.
"Humans, friends, brothers and sisters," I call, using the stones of the mountain to project my voice so that the thousands traveling behind will hear.
"My family and I will enter this cave. We intend to stay, but you are not obligated to do so. I know what you have heard in the past about my people, and I know some of you still believe it. Rest assured that your first act will be one of choice. Choose to join us—it matters not if just for a few nights or forever—or choose to go your own way. I will not sway your decision."
I don't wait for them to respond; I merely turn around and walk to the massive, golden entrance.
The girls run up to me.
"Papá Ra'Sa," Wren says, pronouncing my name correctly for the first time. I grin down at her. "Is it safe here?"
My eyes burn. "Very safe, my starling girl."
She looks unsure, so I say, "Would it help if I carried you in?"
Both she and Thea nod, and I scoop them up into my arms as the door opens, revealing the tunnel down to the main cavern. A girl on each arm, I begin down the walkway.
It feels like the gods themselves bless my steps. I savor the feeling, letting my eyes grow misty as Melisa walks next to us.
The faint pumping noise, the sulphuric smell, the song, the warmth; it all comes back to me in an instant.
When we reach the lights of the open cavern, it is somehow more majestic and brighter than I remember. The reds and blues dotted the ceiling, the gleam of the Enduar Palace, the glow.
It is... beautiful.
Thea lets out an excited squeal, and she grabs onto my head, using it to stabilize herself as she points at the enormous focusing crystal near the Enduar Palace.
Being home makes old feelings swirl. I wonder if my family smiles down upon me, proud of all I have accomplished in the last few months.
A part of me can't believe how much I have changed. Grown. My heart, I believe, has grown the most.
We barely reach the first main bridge before we are met by King Teo and Queen Estela.
The king looks tired, but wears all the finery of a festive meal. The queen glows.
I blink, expecting the sight to be a simple trick of my eyes. It isn’t.
My gaze drops from her luminous aura to the enormous babe in her arms. It looks like a giant.
Though I tense at the sight, Estela opens her free arm wide and embraces Melisa.
“My friend. You made it home!” the queen says excitedly.
New emotions flood through our bond from Melisa. Nervousness, shyness, gratitude, relief, affection.
She doesn’t trust others easily. Their display softens something inside of me. If my wife cares for the sovereigns, perhaps I could make more of an effort to tolerate them.
"We escaped,” Melisa starts. “We took as many as could walk, but there are more on the road.”
The queen begins inspecting Melisa, glancing at me between her and ensuring she has no cuts or bruises.
“How long were you walking for?” Queen Estela asks.
At that moment, the girls start to squirm on my shoulders, and I move to put them down. It's then that King Teo's eyes find mine.
A part of me recoils, but another part of me is just... cautious.
I nod, and he nods back.