Ardasa gazed out of the carriage windows, stealing a peek at the walls of Hekaga. They were large and worn, like all dracon walls were. While it lacked the stunning beauty of Traeton's, with their inlaid gold and silver, the walls of Hekaga looked thick and sturdy, built entirely of stone. She took the opportunity to marvel at its magnificent height. Dracon walls were built higher than kobold walls, often twice over. As the carriage pulled toward the gates, she felt a slowly growing sense of amazement wash over her. Perhaps it was good to make the best of this trip.

A pleasant surprise awaited her at the gates. "Commander Rebat!" she exclaimed, waving from the carriage window. The worn kobold instantly dropped to a knee.

"Your Mercy, it is an honor to defend you within these walls," he croaked, smiling back up at her.

"I'm glad," she said, looking up at the slowly opening gates. "Now, take me to the Grand Prince. I was told we had a few things to discuss."
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Rughoi felt like an idiot. He was a master of tunnel vision, a king of myopics. When Ardasa had offered to go to Hekaga and negotiate with the ruler there, he had jumped at the opportunity. The very day after she left, he felt the regret well up inside him. The palace felt . . . empty, and far too quiet. It was not a house built for one, and now even he saw it as too large without her dancing through it, arranging the flowers on the sills or making casual conversation with the captains. He paced around the halls, as he always did, doing huge circuits around the entirety of the interior. On his way, he encountered a chair that he felt sorely tempted to smash, but resisted the urge to do so. He needed to take his mind off his loneliness, but did not know how. Ardasa was just . . . gone, and he couldn't get her back anytime soon. The fastest worgs in his cavalry were tied to that carriage, and there was no way a messenger could catch up until she's stayed in the city for a few days. He looked up at the evening sky, watching as the first of the stars came out. He wished on one of them, on Scen and Arda and Hetuis, that she was safe and happy.