I rose to my feet with the responsibility of all she had said heavy upon me. I turned to her, "My wife and child are to the south! Surely I'm not to leave them there?"
Ayaya's hands framed my face, "Your family will join you on the way. Go to Philanthia and sound the cry. Take those who listen and retreat through the kingdoms gathering all who will follow. I will see you in the East in two weeks' time."
Ayaya turned then and left. I heard her begin addressing the people of the town that had gathered outside the temple. I sensed that my work here was done and I exited out the side entrance and made my way unnoticed to the camp outside the town.
There was nobody there as it seemed everyone had gathered at the temple to hear Ayaya speak. Some part of me still hadn't caught up with the reality of everything that had happened in the past little while. I may never come to grips with it. It was enough to know that I had fulfilled my role set in motion what seemed like so many lifetimes ago by Kuri.
Mounting Phalon I took off to the south. I desperately wanted to go to my wife's side in Crona, but I'd only gotten this far in life by being faithful and my orders were to go to Philanthia. I hadn't been there since I'd left four years ago.
The King who had once favored me highly favored me no longer. I could be riding to my death, but I had faith that it would be otherwise.
*****
On the third day of the journey south my stallion's hooves resounded loudly off the cobblestones of Philanthia's capital city. Everywhere I looked I beheld a general malaise of discontent on the faces of the people.
The rumors were true then. Philanthia, once greatest of the seven kingdoms had now fallen out of its former favor with El Elyon. Still, there must be some within the city and surrounding countryside who would listen.
Surprise shown clearly on the faces of many at the sight of me alone once more within the city. I headed straight for the King's court. Gates and doors were opened before me without hesitation and I soon found myself walking the marble floors of the judgment hall.
A hush fell over the typical hubbub of the court officials as my presence was announced. The hush remained for only a moment before whispered conversations broke out everywhere with a wide host of speculations being put forward.
My hopes sank though as I took in the judgment seat. I had expected to make my case with the king, but he was not present. Instead, his daughter resided over the court in regal fashion. While still pretty, I could not dissuade myself from the feeling that she appeared much colder than I had remembered.