The journey across the Ocean was quick and uneventful. With Atu controlling the winds they made good time- the southern storms disappearing as soon as they could be seen on the horizon. The Ocean turned from a murky brown to a light blue the closer they got closer to Admari. From a distance, Eboni was able to make out the mountainous ranges of Cerina next to the thin flat land- bar the Empress's mountain- of Admari.

With much effort and arguing, Iasa had managed to convince Kas and Atu to change from their shorts into loose trousers and tunics. They were all now stood on deck watching as the Port of Admari grew closer.

Iasa had raided everyone's wardrobe the night before to make sure they would all be dressed in Admari's latest fashions. Both Eboni and Iasa had changed into loose fitting dresses that grazed their ankles and leather sandals. The colours were rich and bold. Iasa was wearing deep red- matching Orlans red tunic and Eboni was wearing a deep emerald green. Bren had opted for an understated purple and both Atu and Kas were wearing dark blue.

The men all jumped into action as the ship was ready to dock.

The view of the main city took Eboni's breath away. The colours of their clothing seemed to be replicated as far as she could see, the buildings were a creamy yellow colour, their walls made from mud and straw and unlike the perfect bricks of Rolezal these building looked like they had stood for a thousand years and weathered every storm.

The people had tanned olive skin from the two suns that sat constantly in the sky every day of every season. Their clothing was much richer and eccentric than the simple tunics they were wearing. Gold jewellery adorned every path of showing skin and jewels hung from necks and sat atop heads.

Stepping down from the ship and onto the earth she noticed that the streets were all cobbled and rough. Charm exuded from everything and everyone, the air electric with atmosphere and life.

Bren and Orlan were the last to disembark, carrying with them their trusty satchels.

"Where do we start?" Iasa asked looking around. They were drawing a lot of attention.

"So much for wearing these to blend in." Kas said pulling at his tunic uncomfortably. "We may as well be carrying a sign saying 'look at us!'" He whispered as more people stopped and stared.

Eboni was sure they looked like a very peculiar travelling group, their clothing although the right colour lacked the adornment and finesse of the locals and no doubt their loitering with no one here to meet them was what was starting the whispers.

"We head to the palace." Orlan instructed. "We must speak to the Empress."

"Come on then, before we attract any more trouble." Bren said setting off Behind Orlan.

"I think it's too late for that." Eboni whispered pulling everyone to a stop as a plethora of armed guards ran towards them. Dressed in light blue tunics they were the lowest of ranks and- worryingly, thought Eboni, therefore had the most to prove.

"Well, this started well didn't it." Kas sighed, resting his hand on the bow that hung from his belt.

"No weapons, we are here in peace." Eboni ordered them, swatting Orlans hand away from his half-drawn sword as the guards encircled them.

"Drop your weapons!" One of the guards bellowed pointing his sword menacingly at Orlan, a scowl twisting onto his lips.

"Put it away Orlan." Eboni asked again. Stepping in front of him so the sword was now pointing at her.

"Step aside little girl, it would be a shame to hurt such a pretty face." The man sneered, jabbing his sword towards Eboni. Bren and Kas both took protective step forward their eyes not leaving the guard intent on starting a fight. She had to think of a way to get to the Empress without being in chains.

"Really, what awful words!" Eboni sighed in the manner she had used while in the Rolezal court. From the corner of her eye she could see Kas raising an eyebrow bemused. "What a terrible way to greet royal guests, is that not so Princess?" Eboni said turning to Iasa who- realising what Eboni was doing played along.

"Oh yes, you are quite right! Drawing a sword upon my personal guard and a Lady of Rolezal. What will my daddy- King Gregor of Rolezal- have to say? Tsk, Tsk, what an awful start to what I was hoping to be a wonderful adventure." Iasa sighed theatrically, raising her hand to her brow.

"Quite so- I also think that the Empress of Admari would not appreciate a conflict between our two nations if it transpires that one of her guards brought deliberate harm to a member of the royal family." Eboni continued, watching as the scowl disappeared from the guards face only to be replaced by utter confusion.

"Aldan!" A commanding voice boomed from across the street, turning Eboni could see another guard walking towards them. "Put down your sword!" He ordered.

"But Commander!?" Aldan said, his sword still trained on Eboni.

"Now!" The Commander stepped into the circle of guards grabbing the sword from Aldan's hands before pushing the overzealous guard back and out of the circle.

"My apologies my lady" The Commander said bowing towards Eboni. He wore a red tunic top signifying the highest rank of the Admari army. "Are the rumours I have heard from the city folk to be true? That this is a party of the Princess Iasa of Rolezal?"

Iasa stepped forward and gave a small curtsy. "I am the Princess Iasa of Rolezal- I was on my way to beg an audience of your Empress before we were stopped like ruffians!"

The Commander bowed deeply "I can only apologise and see to it that the guard in question in disciplined. Please Princess follow me- I shall escort you to the Empress myself."

They walked through the city, people parting to create a clear path. Bowing and curtsying to the Commander who walked in front. Eboni was happy to see that the expressions of the city folk towards their army's leader was that of trust and happiness- rather than fear. The stories of the fights between Cerina and Admari had brought about images of a fierce and ruthless army Commander, but that could not be further from the truth- or so it appeared at this moment.

They weaved through side streets and crossed bridges as they were led towards the only mountain in Admari. Its looming height meant that its dominance could not be missed. Carved into the mountain side was the palace itself. Stretching from the base of the mountain right to the top. The Empress's personal quarters touched the sky, so she could be closer to Elementi and look over her land.

They left the mud and straw buildings behind them, walking up a large and grand flight of stairs to the most peculiar contraption Eboni had ever seen in her life. The Commander stepped aside to allow her and Iasa into the large wooden box first and after everyone was inside a door shut.

"Up!" The Commander shouted and suddenly the box jolted- peering through the wooden slats Eboni could see the ground getting smaller and smaller.

"What a wonderful contraption Sir, how does it work?" Orlan asked.

"There are ropes tied to the top of the box, that are pulled up and down by four wheels at the top of the mountain, they are powered by the water that flows from inside the mountain before heading down to the rivers that run through the city.

"How efficient." Orlan replied, taking in the structure of the box.

Looking round Eboni couldn't help but smile as she saw Iasa huddled into Bren's side, her eyes barely peeking from under his arm. Atu was looking silently around the box like Orlan and Kas- who was stood next to her was incredibly pale and stood incredibly rigid. She slipped her hand into his and squeezed lightly. He jumped at the gesture before looking down at her and smiling, he squeezed back before setting his eyes straight ahead, his hand now tightly grasping hers.

The box drew to a halt and the door opened again. Disembarking one by one they entered a grand hall way, the stone of the mountain had been filed down to create a shiny marble surface on the floor, ceiling and walls, art hung from the walls and the Royal flags were draped across the ceiling. The commander led them across the hall towards the large floor to ceiling double doors at the end, the only noise coming from their shoes squeaking across the floor.

"The Empress is to be addressed as Your High One and a small incline of the head or curtsy respectively must be made upon first greeting her. You may not speak to her unless she speaks to you first and you must never turn your back to her. Understood?" He asked and after they all nodded- Iasa rolling her eyes- the large double doors at the end of the hall way were opened and the most glorious up beat music rang out through the hall.

They followed the Commander into what Eboni presumed was the throne room. Red and gold fabric was draped across the walls and ceiling, long wooden tables sat on either side of the room each with a hundred men and women sat laughing and eating.

The Empress was sat at the end of the room on a large wooden throne, the back stretching right up to the ceiling all carved with what Eboni saw to be why Elementi chose the current Empress to rule. Holding back rolling her eyes as Iasa had done just a moment ago she followed the Commander through the path created by the tables towards the throne.

As they walked past the tables the chattering and laughing came to an abrupt halt as the people turned to watch the new arrivals, some eyed them with happy curiosity and others with glares of contempt at the interruption of what appeared to be a party. Most though looked from them to their leader to see what reaction they would receive.

They came to a stop each standing next to each other to show equal stature. The Commander stepped forward to introduce them, before realising he only actually knew the title of one of them.

"May I Present to you the Princess Iasa of Rolezal." He gestured towards the Princess who curtsied lightly.

"My traveling companions- Sister Eboni of God's Land and Lady of Rolezal." Iasa said as Eboni followed Iasa's lead, curtsying lightly.

Soft gasps filled the room and the Empress sat up a little straighter, Eboni knew that the people of Admari had never had any visitors from God's Land before, especially without a full consort.

"Brother Bren of God's Land and Lord of Rolezal." Iasa continued as Bren bowed. "Sir Orlan, my personal guard and Protector of Rolezal." Orlan bowed deeply.

"May I present to you Chief Atu of the Sher woods and his brother Warrior Kas." Kas and Atu stayed stood up, only inclining their heads as a show of respect.

On the announcement of their titles the Empress stood from her chair, her eyes fixated on the brothers, ignoring the overwhelming chatter and gossiping that had now filled the air like bees swarming around a flower.

Slowly the Empress walked down from her throne to stand in front of the group, her eyes flicking over each of them before settling on Atu. Raising a hand, the chatter stopped instantly leaving a tense silence in its wake.

"Never has a Chief of Sher Woods left his land. It is an honour to have you in my home." The Empress said inclining her head to him the way he had done to her.

"This is the first land other than our home that any Sher Woodsmen has ever set foot on. It is an honour to experience it." Atu replied stiffly, his eyes flickering across the mountain of jewels the Empress wore with distaste, though he hid it well.

"Truly, what a marvellous occasion." She replied, her attention landing on Kas. "Warrior? Did I hear that right?"

"That is correct- High One." Kas replied, bristling as the Empress rested her hand on his chest.

"Are all the Sher Wood warriors all as handsome and strong as you?" The Empress tilted her head, fluttering her eyelashes.

Eboni rolled her eyes.

"My men are all strong. I would not be able to comment on their handsomeness." Kas replied flatly, Eboni bit back a smirk as he took her hand from his chest.

Realising that he was not going to flirt with her, she moved on.

"So, what are you doing here, Princess? This is not your usual consort?" The Empress asked, turning back to walk up the stairs and sit on her throne.

"No." Iasa began, sweetly. "My father was on business in Gods Land where I ran into some friends, we decided to have a little- adventure."

Eboni hoped that the Empress would buy it, a room full of strangers listening ears was not who they wanted learning about their true mission.

"Are you having fun, on your little... adventure?" The Empress asked, taking a sip of dark red juice from a wine cup on the arm of her throne.

"Very much so, we- that is my companions and I- thought we might stay in the city for a few days. Explore, as you do, on adventures." Iasa replied, her gaze not leaving that of the Empresses.

"Then you must stay here!" The Empress announced, raising her wine glass- the hall of people coming alive with shouts of agreement and applause.

"That is so kind of you, High One, but we do not wish to be a burden." Eboni cut in, not liking the way the guards in blue tunics had begun to line the wall, their gazes fixed on them.

"Nonsense. I know that the Brothers and Sisters of God's Land are not used to such... extravagance- but it would be no burden at all. In fact, I insist."

"Then we, of course, will readily accept such a gracious and generous offer." Iasa said, curtsying again.

Eboni glanced over to Iasa, silently questioning her new over polite manner with a bemused expression. All she got was a wink in reply.

"Have rooms prepared for my honoured guests." The Empress shouted out again, a small group of servants standing by a door at the back of the room scuttling out.

"There is so much to discuss, I- and I am sure my court- want to hear all about your travels!" The Empress gushed, setting down her goblet before walking back down the steps to stand in front of them.

"There is so much to say, I would not know where to begin!" Iasa replied with equal enthusiasm.

"I am sure there is quite the story to tell... You must have travelled for many days!" She turned to the table nearest to her, and snapped her fingers, it's occupants jumping up and scurrying away under her iron gaze. "Please, be seated at my table, eat, be merry, enjoy your evening here." Her gaze softened as she looked back to them, gesturing gracefully at the now empty table.

"Thank you, we are quite famished!" Iasa curtsied again, her sickly-sweet smile seemingly plastered onto her face.

Following Iasa's lead, their small group took a seat at the table, servants rushing to their table with goblets of wine and platters of extravagant food. The music started up tentatively in the background, before bursting out across the hall. Its towering, soaring ceilings echoing the beautiful and jolly sound into every corner.

Eboni smiled as dancers leaped around tables and everyone in the hall began to smile and laugh. She looked around her group, Kas and Atu staring around the room with bemused smiles, picking feverishly at the food in front of them. Orlan was eating slowly, his eyes scanning the room, looking out for any potential danger. Iasa was smiling and laughing at the expressions of Atu and Kas, pointing out as many outlandish and different things as she could see to only amaze them more.

Eboni smiled, glad to be under a sturdy roof and on still land after sailing on the boat.

"This is quite unlike anything I have ever seen before, it even out does Rolezal- though don't tell the Princess I said that!" she whispered to Bren, who was sat next to her.

He grunted in reply.

Looking to her brother and friend she saw him hunched over the table, his hair falling in front of his eyes, his fingers picking at a piece of meat on a bone. His skin looked paler, though she presumed she would look the same compared to the tanned skins of those who surrounded them.

Her heart sank. "We will get some answers soon, they won't win and you aren't like them... I promise Bren." She whispered to him, not wanting the others to notice his dejected state.

His hand reached under the table to squeeze hers, before he turned back to his food.

They sat as a group, bemused and energised by their new surroundings. Watching everything, listening to the hypnotic music and eating and drinking the spiced and flavourful food and drink.

The Empress stood from her throne as the sky darkened, Purple and gold shards of sky the only colours left in what had earlier been a colourful tapestry. It had dimmed the light that entered the room, the hall now lit by colossal chandeliers that shone bright with the light of hundreds of candles a piece.

The music stopped briefly, but at the wave of her hand it continued.

She descended the stairs gracefully, her posture rigid, hands clasped together in front of her. Her joyful expression she had word throughout the evening had vanished, instead it was now set in a neutral expression.

"Come with me." She said, as she passed their table. Her tone was harsh and demanding. Walking down the aisle, she gestured without looking back for the group to follow.

Kas raised his eyebrow questioningly and after a small shrug from Eboni they raised from their table, and followed the Empress.

She led them out of the throne room and into the hall they had walked through previously before turning a corner and opening a small door.

Eboni turned to her friends, who all looked as confused as she felt. Apart from Bren, who still wore a sullen expression and sad eyes.

"What is it? What's wrong?" She asked, noting his wary glances around the hall as the others slowly filed into the small room.

"It's nothing." He replied, smiling reassuringly before guiding her into the room and shutting the door behind them.

Inside was a large square table set low on the floor, sweeping away the open scrolls and documents the Empress took a seat on a plush stool on one of the sides.

"Please, sit." She said pointing to the stools under the table.

They sat around the table waiting anxiously to see where this was going to lead.

"I am no fool." The Empress started. Before sighing deeply. "You have not come to my land for an adventure. Your presence proves that to me." She nodded towards Atu. "What has happened?"

They sat in silence for a moment before looking to Eboni.

"We should tell her." Iasa said, her hands fiddling with the hem of her dress.

Looking to Atu and Orlan, Eboni took their solitary nods as an agreement of the Princess's statement.

"You know of the Land Tozaro and how they are plagued by the Dark Ones?" Eboni asked, the Empress nodding in reply.

"They have decided that now is the time to seek ultimate power of the world and claim it for the Darkness." She stopped to let the news sink in.

"Continue." The Empress said, gesturing for her to continue to show she was following.

"The last Prophecy of Elementi, have you heard it?" Eboni asked her.

"I have." The Empress looked carefully at each of them. "You are his Spirits?" She asked.

"Spirits?" Bren questioned.

"You have been given his gifts. My mother taught me the prophecy, she called you his spirits." She replied. "Which gifts have you been blessed with?" She asked.

Iasa and Atu looked to Eboni warily before she answered.

"We are missing Water; it is why we are here. They will be the last piece to the puzzle that will allow us a fighting chance to claim this world for light once more." Eboni replied, carefully avoiding stating who had which gift.

"I see." The Empress replied. "Then I wish you luck. I have not come across Water in my land, should I have I would have seen to it that they would be well looked after, naturally. However, I can see you have come a long way- please stay in my city for a while anyway- rest." She stood and opened the door, two guards were waiting outside.

"Please escort out esteemed guests to their personal quarters." She instructed them. "I will see you at the feast tomorrow eve, feel free to rest tomorrow and enjoy the views from your rooms. I shall throw the most extravagant party you have ever seen to make your time here a little more- memorable."

"Believe me Empress, this is not a part of this journey we shall ever forget." Orlan replied.

"No I don't suppose you will." She smiled briefly before turning on her heel and walking back to her throne room.