Elise heard the bells ringing from inside the common room of the care-house and she quickly made her way to the window to look down into the City Square. Sure enough, a commotion ensued, for these were not the church bells she was accustomed to hearing chime every hour; these were from the Citadel, so they rang with an explosively low dong. It meant only one of two things: to summon the Lawmakers in relation to a crime, or to announce High Rank death. 

Elise watched as the Lawmakers approached the Citadel's massive front steps, where Elder Valmont and the Prince met them. The towns people began to gather around and she noticed the Elder motion for a young woman to stay close to him. 

"What's going on?" asked Chloe as she stepped into the common room and curiously headed for the window as well. Elise just groaned slightly and made room for her, but she couldn't seem to take her eyes off the young woman beside Elder Valmont. She was beautiful, with dark thick curls that were pulled back and held in place with different colorful ribbons. She was captivating, exotic even, most certainly from somewhere in Altnahara, and Elise felt instantly drawn to her, almost in the same way she'd been feeling about the elf.

"The Citadel bells." Elise motioned to the steps and watched more intently as the woman looked around the Square. She wanted to go down there herself and see what was going on, but her day was full of duties. Could she maybe spare some time to enquire? The sun nearly hung over their heads yet.

Suddenly, Chloe gasped. "It can't be!" She dashed quickly out the door, leaving Elise behind rather confused. She glanced back down at the woman, and the commotion. She sighed; if she only had the time. Between her work at the care-house, her volunteering, and trying to keep the elf-boy hidden, she just wasn't sure she could handle meeting another stranger, even if they were tall, dark, and mysterious. She could daydream, though and surely Chloe will be given news in respect to the bells.

It didn't take Chloe long to reach the Square. Elise watched her as she ran in the street below directly towards all the people on the Citadel steps. She slowed when she reached them, and to her surprise, she approached the mysterious woman! Elise's mouth gaped open.

There is no way that this was happening right now! Does she know her? She must. Now they're hugging! Light!

She needed to get down there; she suddenly had all the time in the world. 

"Aunt Chloe!" Avosa grabbed her Aunt and gave her a big bear hug. She caught her completely off guard. She had been startled when the bells began to ring and as she listened to the  Lawmakers and Elders address people's concerns over the bells, she began to feel more than a bit out of place. Now she was entirely happy and thankful to see someone she knew in the city. She cursed herself for her forgetfulness. Before she left home, her father told her to make sure to inquire about her whereabouts when they got to Bolste, but in all the commotion, not to mention the whirlwind of new information in her head, she had completely forgotten about her Aunt. She felt the blood rush to her cheeks in her foolishness. Maybe if Marcus hadn't run off... 

"I thought that was you," exclaimed Chloe. "I can't believe you're here! My gracious, you've grown into a fine young woman. I'm surprised I recognized you. Who are you here with?"

Speaking of which. "My Uncle," Avosa stumbled.  "Marcus, er Chancellor Thane. He, uh, just left to check out the library. We came here to meet someone and to do something... uh, but now I think something's happened." Avosa scratched her head, realizing how completely foolish she must sound, and to her Aunt no less. Chloe just stood there agape. So Avosa continued, "the lady we were supposed to meet isn't here, and now he thinks he may have lost what we need to... to finish his work. How did you know I was here?"

"I work there in the care-house; I saw you from the window." Chloe laughed and hugged her again. "I was right up there." She turned and pointed to the window in the building behind them.  

Avosa took a look behind her Aunt and saw a gorgeous red-headed young woman walking towards them both. It was a sight Avosa had yet to see on her journey here. Marcus had made certain to avoid farms and towns on their journey here. And now to see a woman as beautiful as this, with freckled skin, who she realized was walking straight toward them! Light, she was even smiling! Avosa could not help but smile back. The woman was dressed exactly the same as her aunt Chloe, but came across much more voluptuous in the plain white cotton frock hanging down to her ankles. Perhaps it was the belt, which accentuated her curves. 

Avosa stood motionless, like a hunted doe. Her cheeks and neck suddenly felt warm, and her palms became damp. She had never seen a woman so exotic, so freckled and luscious. She wasn't sure how to carry on a conversation with her. Her dark red wavy hair was pulled back, yet some strands had escaped and framed her face. Others stuck straight to her cheek in the heat. Her skin was almost porcelain, her eyes ochre, her lips rust. She's smiling at me! Avosa gulped.

"Elise, come meet my niece, Avosa." Elise made her way up to them both and extended her hand.

Avosa wasn't really sure if she was supposed to kiss it or courtesy. She decided to just gently grasp it and cover it with her other hand, letting the feel of her skin sink in, while she squeaked, "My Lady," and bowed her head.

"It's nice to meet you, Avosa," Elise said with a laugh. "Please, call me Elise. I doubt I have many years on you, and I've never been the real lady type."

"Ok," Avosa managed to muster. She started feeling very uncomfortable in her own clothes. Her shirt felt too tight around the neck, and her underarms began to sweat. She had never encountered a woman so captivating, so vibrant. She wasn't sure how to carry herself or what to say. Her mind felt like a jumble of thoughts.

"Elise has been my protege for the last year or so, but now she's far surpassed my healing talents," Aunt Chloe explained. "Actually, she was just released from my service last week."

"Ah, well, your Aunt likes to inflate my ego. She's taught me many valuable lessons in the art of childbirth," Elise said, feeling her cheeks grow even hotter.

The three women suddenly realized that Elder Valmont and Prince Telor were still casually standing on the steps just above them, witnessing the unexpected reunion.

Chloe turned to them both and curtsied. "My Lord, Your Grace, I apologize for the frankness. It has been many years since I have seen my niece."

Elise dropped her smile and curtsied as well. Avosa just stood there, unaware that maybe she should have curtsied or paid her respects somehow. This was all so very foreign to her. She had been stuck on a farm for the last seventeen years; she knew sheep, not political pleasantries.

"There is no need to apologize for your own happiness, my daughter. We could use some, given the current circumstances."

"My Lord?"

"The bells, my daughter, they never bring good news." He turned to Avosa. "We should meet back up with Chancellor Marcus and see what he has found. My ladies." Elder Valmont nodded to the women and then back to Avosa with a stare that meant business was at hand. He turned and started up towards the entrance of the Citadel, expecting her to follow.

Chloe saw the look of contention on Avosa's face and grimaced. "You can find me at the care-house; my quarters are there. Make sure you stop in again so we can have a proper catch up!" Chloe gave Avosa a quick hug and tussled her hair like she was still a child, then wrapped her arm around Elise's and began to lead her back to work. Elise turned to look at her, Avosa waved goodbye and Elise responded with another smile and turned away. Avosa then, hesitantly,  followed Elder Valmont up the steps to find her uncle and learn her new fate.