The world shifted into view, colors changing and indiscernible shapes morphing into a grassy hillside. Cedar and Carter looked around, taking in the view of a land, quite literally, without a dead plant. They covered their eyes at the shock of the light. They stood on a hill covered in lush green grass, too green to be real, it seemed. Just further down the hill was a village, and even from on top of the hill, Cedar could tell it was bustling with people; animated, happy people, with a presence Cedar hadn't quite felt before.

  To their right was a huge mountain, towering and looming, yet still the most lovely landform Cedar had ever seen. To the left was a lake, the water sparkling and blue. Cedar could've sworn something shifted deep in it, churning the water.

  Although the air was clear and breezy, and the atmosphere seemed perfect, both Carter and Cedar knew something seemed odd, and threw caution to the wind with small glances. Carter pressed a dagger into Cedar's hand silently. She sheathed it on her thigh, and with a nod, the two headed down the hill into the village.

  The people buzzed with such enthusiasm and vigor, Cedar almost wanted to join their animated conversations.

  Until she saw their faces.

  Both Cedar and Carter's jaws dropped open at the sight of their faces. Every person in the village was someone they knew. Cedar almost fainted when she saw her mother standing in front of her, smiling and bowing.

"M-Mom?"

Cedar's mom frowned. "I am not your mother. I simply came to welcome you to Tarsis, our village! My name is Risa."

Cedar and Carter exchanged looks of horror. It seemed that each and every person from this village was someone they knew. Carter saw his grandfather, aunt, and cousins; Cedar saw friends from school- she even locked eyes with Ethan, her lab partner.

These people looked exactly like those they knew and had met, except one detail: their eyes. Each and every person crowding the village had striking violet eyes.

"But- but... you're my mom!" Cedar said, horror struck. She gripped her dagger, ready to pull it out the moment she saw any threatening movement towards her. Carter was terrified. He knew he would see his parents, and then he would lose it- he kept his eyes locked on the "Risa" woman, convinced she would attack him.

"No dear, I am not. The two of you are strangers to our village, and I came to welcome you to Tarsis!" Risa repeated.

Everyone seemed to speak with a strange accent Cedar and Carter hadn't heard before. Various people passed them by, bowing and exclaiming, "Welcome!" They all wore similar robes of varying colors, from bright bubblegum pink to neon orange to forest green.

Risa smiled, performing a strange gesture with her hands. Then she motioned for them to follow her. Carter and Cedar gaped at the stone buildings, some larger than others, walking down a row of houses to what seemed like a marketplace. To the left were houses with steam spewing out the walls. Cedar heard splashing inside. To the right, there were rows of fresh berries and loaves of bread set out. In the center, there lay a large box-like structure of stone. Nothing was engraved upon it, but behind it stood a giant stone manor, with no gates and wide-open doors.

As Carter saw a childhood friend, Risa brought the two up to a person. Both Cedar and Carter looked at each other, but neither seemed to know the person. It was neither a man nor a woman, but a creature with pure white robes. They had a necklace tucked into their robes. The person was completely bald, with eyes as violet as a clean-cut stone of amethyst. They were not ugly at all, but neither Cedar nor Carter could describe them as beautiful or handsome.

Risa introduced Cedar and Carter to the person, not using their names, as they hadn't told Risa yet. Risa bowed; Cedar and Carter did the same.

"These are young strangers from a foreign land," Risa said. "They seek guidance."

The person looked towards Cedar and Carter, seeming to stare them directly in the eyes at the same time, though no eye contact was broken. "I see. And what guidance do you seek, strangers of youth?"

The person's voice was deep, light, rich, and melodious all at once, becoming the most beautiful, entrancing voice either of them had heard in their lives. Cedar couldn't speak, and after a long silence, Carter finally found his voice. "I am Carter and this is Cedar. We have been brought here on a... quest. There is not much we can say, but we need to find- things."

The person studied their faces, seeming to stare deep into their souls.

"Are they pure of heart? May they stay?" Risa asked.

The person stayed silent for just a moment longer. They raised their hands in a strange gesture, then decided, "Yes. They can stay."
The person lifted their hands up. "I am Sarr, which means, in the language of Tarsis, all. Large, small, life, death, air, water. I am all," Sarr said, bowing their head.

Cedar and Carter were calmed by Sarr's presence. Sarr asked Risa to show Cedar to her living quarters, while another boy Carter's age, who he had never seen, was to show him around.

Cedar was brought to a small building, with one room inside. It had a window with brown curtains drawn. Risa went inside to open the curtains wide, allowing Cedar to enter. The room was lit with torches lining the wall. Sunlight streamed in through the window, illuminating the small bed in the corner. Immediately the torches went out as the light entered the room. A small table with two equally small wooden chairs sat next to a wardrobe and dresser, the largest Cedar had ever seen.

"That thing's so big, it must go to a magical world," she joked.

"I assure you, no magical world can be reached through that wardrobe," Risa said seriously, clasping her hands together in yet another strange gesture.

"Of course not; it was a joke," Cedar said rather quickly. Risa's smile returned.

"Certainly. If you will, please change into a bathrobe and follow me. No foot garments necessary, dear," she said, indicating shoes. Risa opened a drawer and handed her a grey robe, flowing and long.

As Risa stepped out, Cedar changes, careful not to be in view of the window. Though it was only a bathrobe, Cedar thought the garment was beautiful and marveled at her reflection in a long mirror hung on the wall. She left her clothes in a bottom drawer, in which she also found lotions and candles. She stepped out to join Risa, who slipped inside her quarters quickly and came out holding a pile of clothes. She then directed her to the steaming stone building.

As they entered, they took a left and walked down rows of drawn curtains until they found an empty cubicle. Risa guided her into it, beaming as Cedar marveled at the sauna-like room. There were buckets of colorful substances lining the side. Cedar was in wonder, looking at the clear water, the smooth stone steps into it, and a cave-like area with a small waterfall flowing over it.

"This is the bathhouse. You will find the water to your taste and temperature. This bucket," she said, pointing at a bucket of pale pink powder, "is body wash. It smells wonderful. If you do not like the scent, you may find another at the back. This bucket with the blue clear liquid, is hair cleanser. This bucket of milky white is hair conditioner. Your hair will shine as never before. Here is a wooden bowl of cleansing supplies and personal care items."

Risa set the large bowl in the water and it began to float around on the rippling surface. "Soon, a servant may assist you with whatever you may need. I have brought for you a spare set of robes for mealtime after you are finished."

With that, Risa exited, drawing the curtains shut and tying them securely. Cedar pulled off the robe and stepped in the water, sighing as she felt it warm her skin. She floated around, basking in the wonderful feeling. She began to use the body wash, smiling as the pink powder bubbles up into an exfoliating scrub Cedar lathered over her body. Risa was right; it smelled like heaven.

She washed her hair, rinsing the suds out with the small waterfall, smiling contentedly as the gentle trickle of water sent wafts of beautiful jasmine and floral scents floating through the air. Cedar looked through the wooden bowl, finding sponges, both soft and rough, brushed and combs, materials used for manicures, and even a razor with shaving foam, which Cedar gladly used on her legs and underarms.

There was a small knock on the wall beside the curtains, and a clear melodious voice Cedar didn't recognize called out, "Assistance! May I enter?"

Cedar looked to cover herself up, but the surface of the water was covered in a thick layer of suds, making it impossible to see through it.

"Yes, come in," Cedar replied.

A young girl entered, maybe twelve or thirteen. Cedar's first thought was that she'd never seen this girl. Perhaps Carter knew her, but the girl's looks were more intriguing to her than whether Carter knew her or not. The girl's skin was the darkest Cedar had ever seen. Her hair was large, natural, and curled, and her eyes were striking violet, but seemed more grey than purple to Cedar. No doubt about it, the girl was beautiful.

The girl seemed stiff and robotic, meek and timid, her head tilted down. She bowed to Cedar, an odd, unnatural movement. The girl risked a peek at Cedar. Cedar smiled at her. The girl seemed to relax, clearly being able to trust Cedar. She even gave a quick, small smile.

"I am Mona," she said, and walked over to Cedar.

Her previously braided hair was wet and shiny. Mona began to dry Cedar's hair, combing it and styling it in a twisted, curled, half-up-half-down look. Then she took Cedar's hands and gave her a manicure, making her hands look smooth and sleek.

Mona turned around as Cedar stepped out of the water, suds disappearing as if by magic, water turning clear again. Cedar put on underclothes from the pile Risa left. Mona helped her into the nicer robe Risa had also brought. It was hazel, shimmering the same color as her eyes, flowing freely with smooth fabric, soft against Cedar's skin.

The neckline was a V-neck, plunging just low enough to slightly embarrass Cedar, but not enough to make her ask for a change of clothing. Her necklace showed, the ruby and gold colors contrasting nicely with the hazel of the robes. The sleeves draped across her shoulders, tied off at the elbows. When Mona gave her sandals and thick golden bracelets, Cedar felt like a Greek goddess.

Mona beamed. "You look wonderful," she said.

"I feel wonderful. Thank you, Mona. For everything," Cedar said, gesturing around the room. Mona smiled even more, eyes twinkling with pride.

Meanwhile, Carter was not receiving the same luxury treatment as Cedar. The boy he had never seen before barely looked at him, gesturing to a room identical to Cedar's, but of the opposite side of Cedar's quarters. The boy tried to leave, and was halfway out the door when Carter asked, "Where do you hold the keys of the kingdom?"

The boy said, "We have a key room. I'm sure if you ask, someone may take you. And before you ask, no. I will not take you."

"Why not?"

"I don't care much for strangers."

"And why is that?"

"I wouldn't tell you. But I'll give you some advice. In Tarsis, people are subjected to honesty at all times. No one takes kindly to those who lie," he said gravely, walking out.

"Hang on. Can I at least ask your name?"

The boy looked solemnly over Carter's face, his eyes briefly lingering on Carter's own. He ultimately decided he could trust Carter.

"Pax."

He bowed, then left the small cottage. Carter began looking through the wardrobe he found, half expecting to find large fur coats inside. Instead, he found robes and long, flowing pants. Carter changed into some dark brown robes, wondering where Cedar was. He found lotion in a bottom drawer. It smelled like spicy cinnamon. He applied it to his skin, enjoying the tingly feeling it caused as soon as it made contact with his skin.

Just as he pulled on sandals, he heard a horn go off, the sound echoing from the center of town. Carter got up and left quickly, hoping this wasn't a call of war or something. Thankfully, people were laughing and talking as they walked to the stone manor. Carter met Cedar after she stepped out of her living space. His jaw nearly dropped when he saw her. She looked incredible, dressed in robes that matched her eyes. She still wore her ruby necklace.

Cedar also though very highly of Carter's looks. He was very handsome, his blue eyes twinkling. He smelled like cinnamon, and something about him made her feel butterflies in her stomach. The two walked into the building together.

"Where are we going?" Carter asked.

"Dinner. Didn't anyone tell you?"

"The only person who talked to me barely said three words," he said. "Something strange- as soon as we got here, you saw your mom. Risa. Isn't it weird to see her, but she doesn't recognize you as your daughter?"

"It's strange, but they act so different, I can hardly think it's her at all. Come on, we need to get a table as quick as we can!" Cedar laughed and pulled on Carter's arm.

When they entered the manor, they were astounded at its arching beauty. The two found a table in the middle of the others, sitting with various others they recognized. Everyone was chatting animatedly until Sarr stood at the front of the room, quieting everyone instantly.

"Say welcome to our guests. One must learn; patience is a virtue. You must not continue on a journey without possessing it. With those words, mealtime."

Carter and Cedar exchanged confused glances; both thinking the same thing.

That was an odd assortment of things to say.

When they glanced back at their table, plates had appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. There was a large piece of chicken with some mashed potatoes. Beside, there were two cups- a water cup and a small glass cup with a white tablet inside. Everyone began eating, so Carter and Cedar joined them.

After Cedar's luxury afternoon, she was ravenous, and began eating with the expectancy that the meal would be wonderful. She was a bit disappointed when the food was tasteless and bland. She ate every bite, though. When everyone else had finished, they began eating the tablets. Cedar did the same. The tablets tasted like toothpaste. It seemed like the tablet cleaned her teeth without her brushing them.

The night went on, and Cedar laughed with those she knew, marveling at the strange sensation of talking to the people she knew, who were completely different than their counterparts. Sarr stopped by their table as everyone was filing out; Sarr wasn't quite smiling, but did not frown.

"Though you two are guests, we in Tarsis have a certain expectancy of our ways. It is not required, but I have asked Pax and Lyra to escort you to certain places. We have annual tasks to be completed, and we would like the two of you to join us. You will be closely acquainted with both in the lengths of time you will spend together. They will explain further tomorrow. You will be informed shortly. Rest up; you have a long day tomorrow. We do hope you'll join us."