Daughters of the Mountain

As they followed the path, the night deepened, and Kyoka made them a torch of Astra light. Lena found herself thinking about the men they left behind, but no sense of trepidation came with the thought. If anything, she felt good, like she let out a scream she had been holding in. A part of her was even eager for another fight, but she couldn’t figure out why that was.

“You feel the buzz too, don’t you?” Kyoka asked, touching her shoulder to pull her out of the thought.

“Buzz? Is that what this is… from hurting people?” She didn’t quite feel good about that.

“From answering the mountain’s call!” Kyoka grinned. “My mom used to get like this sometimes. If she found a brigand camp or stopped a particularly bad Doll, she’d be in like, a frenzy. She used to say it was because she answered the mountain’s call.”

“Is that why it was so… easy?” She never imagined hurting another person before that point. Even in the moment, she thought there should have been some hesitation, but her claws had moved without a thought.

It was Mira who replied. “You know how She of the Star on High called us daughters of the mountain?”

Lena nodded, though she hadn’t found the title too strange.

“It’s not just a unique way of referring to us. According to legend, we daughters of the mountain are just like She of the Star on High, the Queen, and the Princess. We act on the mountain’s behalf and are filled with her love and fury.”

Lena thought about that. “So it was easy because the mountain was furious at those brigands?”

Kyoka crossed her arms. “It makes sense, doesn’t it? If they were willing to rob us they probably robbed a lot of people, or maybe worse. The mountain would have felt all of that and wanted something to be done.”

“So then the Astra communicated its feelings?” Did that sound right?

“Maybe we could say we shared it?” Mira offered.

Lena found herself crossing her arms.

“It really helps you think, doesn’t it?” Kyoka snickered.

Lena laughed with her, but it did make her mind more swift. She thought she could understand what Mira was saying, but now she was confused about something else.

“Why do you think they were so close to the school?” She asked.

Kyoka shrugged, and Mira, unfortunately, did too.

“Maybe they didn’t know the school was there? We were in the labyrinth for hours, so we probably went further down than we thought. Usually you can see the front of the school from the path, but back here?” Kyoka shrugged.

All three of them looked over their shoulders. The mountain face was a shadowy mass, sitting above the trees.

“Then why in such a remote area? It doesn’t look like the path led any other way.”

The others could only shrug again, leaving Lena in deeper contemplation. Maybe it was the feelings of the mountain again, but something was telling her that things were off.

The thought did eventually pass as the lights of the town brightened the night. Streetlights cast their golden glow onto stone streets, winding between blue buildings. A sign greeted them as they came into the town: “Welcome to Ariam. Population: 3,500.” The town had grown quiet in the dark of night, but as they strolled deeper, stragglers began to whisper.

“Are they graduates?”

“Here in Ariam?”

“So late at night.”

“How long has it been?”

Soon, a crowd gathered around them, cutting off their path.

“What should we do?” Lena asked.

“Be authoritative?” Kyoka offered.

“It doesn’t feel like we’re in danger, right?” Mira asked, though she stood closer to Kyoka.

That was a good question, and… there was no sense that they had to fight. These people were blind to personal space but otherwise safe?

A great beat of wings came, then the sound of claws on stone.

“Clear the way. Clear the way,” someone called, and the crowd parted for a woman.

She was stunning. Her white hair was long enough to touch her waist, and purple eyes looked piercing within dark eyeshadow. A silver sequin gown draped down to her ankles, splitting on one side as she strolled towards them. She could be no older than her thirties, but it was clear she’d remain this gorgeous for decades to come.

“What have we here?” She looked them over.

A butler strode up beside her. “They appear to be new graduates, madame.”

She clapped. “So they do! In our little Ariam!”

“Indeed, madame. Shall I fetch your carriage.”

“Absolutely Eduardo, we must take these girls in right away. It’s not every day you meet a graduate after all, and Ariam certainly loves when it does.” She began to shoo the people away. “It’s too late to be gawking, loves. Go home, gossip about it, and maybe you might see these lovely girls tomorrow.”

Murmurs erupted through the crowd, but otherwise, they dispersed.

“Now where are my manners? I am Jolene, loves. It’s a pleasure to meet you!”

Claws on stone sounded again before they had a chance to answer as Eduardo led a griffin-drawn carriage toward them.

“Let’s talk over dinner at my place! I’m sure you girls are tired and eager for a bath!” Jolene clapped.

Eduardo opened the door. The girls traded a look.

“I say we do it,” Kyoka said.

“I like the way she thinks,” Jolene remarked.

Lena and Mira traded one more look, but boarded the carriage nevertheless. As the door closed, they heard flint on stone and felt the carriage lift off the ground. The griffin’s wingbeat came next, and then they were above it all, watching the town blur beneath them in the windows. Jolene watched the same sight with a serene look upon her face, and looking at her once again brought a question to mind.

“Ms. Jolene?” Lena started.

“Call me Jolene, love,”

“Then Jolene, this might be strange of me to ask, but are you a Royal Academy graduate?”

Jolene let out a chuckle. “I suppose it's hard to tell when I'm not walking around in my raiment, isn't it? Forgive me girls, I love a pretty dress.”

Lena lit up. “Then we have a message for you from the headmistress. The Princess is having bad dreams.”

Jolene’s expression changed. Not by a lot, but definitely enough to notice. Lena couldn't quite tell what it was, however. Exhaustion? Disappointment? Maybe both and reluctance? Either way, it faded back into a welcoming smile as she deliberated.

“Loves, you'll find out that sometimes it's straight to business for us, but I simply won't allow it! You're my guests, and before we talk duties, I'm getting you cleaned, dressed, and fed!” She clapped, and almost as if she commanded it, their ride came to a stop.

Outside the window, a mansion awaited, and she gave them a knowing smile as they looked from it to her. They disembarked, and Eduardo took the lead as he walked them towards the mansion’s doors…