“Aye,” Toya said rather plainly. “Normally when Rosenite magic is stirring its one of this idiot’s siblings.”

Rosemary winced a bit and looked up at her aunt. “I’m sorry.”

Toya took a sigh and grumbled. “I didn’t mean it like that. I’m agitated.” Toya brought her hand up and rubbed Rosemary’s hair gently. “Her siblings cause problems all up and down the coast. Not to mention this is prime season for slave traders in the desert. That’s the only reason why we had a response time like we did.”

The Dragon Queen listened to their tale and tilted her head a bit. “Sounds like trouble… Glad we found them. Hunting angels is a huge problem for me as well. My two granddaughters are half angels. I would hate for them to be caught up in this. Remedy would probably blast a hole through them and cut their throats before being captured.” Toya got a look on her face that was displeased. “Girl doesn’t think before she leaps. Astrid is much like Rosemary though.”


Rosemary looked at Aeolus and frowned a bit. “I know I promised this would be by foot but without those supplies, we aren’t going to be able to make it through the Harena much less through the Arri portion of it…”

The queen put her hands on her hips. “She’s right… The desert kills enough as it is.”

The two of them were put up on the dragon’s back while Toya took the front. “This is Karith. She will take us back to Sularia. I’m going to leave you on the outskirts of Arri so we can continue doing… whatever the hell we are out here doing.”

The flight was fast and there was various times that Rosemary held onto Aeolus for dear life. These speeds weren’t something she was used to. Lucky for them there was a rope for Aeolus to hang onto and Rosemary had put away her wings. The desert slowly went from white sand to red as Toya landed the dragon on the edge of a huge tropical oasis. The city was visible in the distance. “This is as far as I take you… Enjoy it… The summer festival is here.”

Rosemary was happy as she pulled Aeolus down off the dragon. “This is home.” The heat was even worse than Laeto but it wasn’t as humid. The trees were tall and when they were on the ground it blocked the city from sight. She pulled his hand and took him into the tropical forest. “It’s only a short walk… Isn’t it pretty so far? But you haven’t seen anything yet.”

Once they made it to the gate the city exploded in front of them. It was an artistic masterpiece with the aqueducts, gemstones, and priceless ores that made up the city. “This is Sularia, home of the Rosenites. This is the main district… Sularia has separate districts depending on the Queens… The White District is Toya’s… That’s where the military is… That mansion over there with all the flowers is the Oracle District.” She pointed him up on the hill. “There are four other queens besides Toya and then in the castle.” She pointed up to the huge castle in the middle of everything. “Is where the Empress lives.”

The streets were packed full of beautiful women and a handful of men so she kept Aeolus close. “Women outnumber the men here ten to one. We’re heading for the red district.”

The trip on the back of the dragon was exhilarating, almost to the point where Aeolus felt the need to hop off and race the dragon with his own wings.  It would certainly have been a challenge that he felt would be worth his time, but he curbed his enthusiasm and focused on the well being of Rosemary, making sure the dragon didn't accidentally leave her behind.  At last, though, they landed on the outskirts of Sularia.  As they disembarked, Aeolus waved to Toya in thanks for the ride over, and took a bow to the dragon,  For some reason, he felt as though the dragon deserved it almost as much as Toya did.

It was to Aeolus' surprise that there was a summer festival going on, and a part of him was curious at what all that would entail.  However, he refrained from asking, and instead focused on the beauty of the oasis that they had landed in.  "You really do like forests, don't you?" he said with a smile.

Finally, though, they made it to the gate, and Aeolus was struck with Sularia in all its glory.  Despite his usual cool demeanor, he felt the urge to wander into the city and get lost in its beauty.  Everything felt exotic and wild, between the colors and the gems, as well as the people.  "It's amazing," he said loud enough for Rosemary to hear.  "And this is home for you?  I'm a bit envious," he stated.  He had never had a place to call home, and instead had traveled the world and stayed in inns and tents.

As Aeolus listened to Rosemary's explanation on the districts and city layout, he couldn't help but be curious.  "So, there are five Queen's total, plus an Empress."  He thought about that for a moment  There was a lot of royalty involved, but there had to be more than that.  The Empress had to really have trusted her Queens to grant them such power, and Toya was just one of five.  "Your family gets more impressive every time I meet another Rose," he said with a smile. 

As they walked through, Aeolus felt that he was being watched.  Surely enough, there were women all over eyeing him, as if sizing him up for something or another.  This immediately put a pit of anxiety in his stomach.  As Rosemary stated, there were definitely more women than men, and when she pulled him closer, the anxiety lessened.  So that's it.  They're trying to pull me away.  And Rosemary is claiming me to protect me.  This brought a slight flush to his face, but he ignored the feeling, and they continued forward.

"Is it possible for us to see an oracle at some point?" Aeolus asked.  "I have…questions, if at all possible."

“Forests are where the most beautiful things in the world are hidden away from plain sight.” She gave a smile up at him but it wasn’t the forest of Sularia that made her love this place but the city itself.

“I was born here as are many of my siblings, my cousins, and especially my aunts. This place is our birthright. You see Sularia was founded by my greatest of Grandmothers, the first Rosenite. She is the empress who watches over the city.”

She thought about the best way to explain the city. “The Empress was chosen by the lands of Arri… We are a deeply nature-rooted race. The elements chose Willow Rose to lead her people here… and the Elements chose her grandchildren to hold each of the five Rosen elements. Light, Fire, Earth, Darkness, and Wind. The Element of water was reserved for those who died and were brought back by the liquid of life, Water. We call them the Oracles. You met Toya of Fire. There is also Cathrine of Wind, Angela of Earth, Lily of Light, and Kirika of Darkness. Each of those Queens must take the trial and let their bodies and minds become one with the element’s trial of choice. Not just anyone can be Queen in Sularia. It is a privilege. These are our traditions and the traditions of the land itself. When their time comes to die their children will be tasked with finding the one who will replace them.”

She pulled him close to her and held onto his arm. She wasn’t the strongest of Rosenites but her weight here as one of the princesses was enough to sway them to stay away. “My cousin Kirika is the only one who isn’t a sister. Her mother was ousted and killed for her betrayals. So she was chosen by the element of Darkness to take over. Whether you are ready or not isn’t really your decision. The elements know best how to help the land and govern the people who live here. My mother has been queen of the red court for a long time… but if its an oracle you want.” She mused a bit. “Bryony should be around or my cousin Eldora… Even my cousin Rose.”

She pulled him towards where the path left the Castle district and a huge white and gold manor was in sight. “That’s my home…” The mansion was gorgeous in the way it was constructed and there was thousands of different flowers and roses planted in front of it as they made their way up the road. “I’m home everyone.” She opened the door like it was just a regular old house. She popped her head in and dragged him in.

Every inch of the walls was decorated with something. They looked like old artifacts the bookcases were filled with medical books. “Hello?”

“YOU GOD DAMN BITCH I’M GOING TO KILL YOU,” a voice shouted. Rosemary immediately hid behind Aeolus.

“NOT IF I KILL YOU FIRST,” there was a blast of magic as a small strawberry blonde woman flew into the wall. In her arms was a warhammer the size of her.

“TAKE IT BACK YOU CUNT,” the little one got off the wall and slammed the warhammer into the wall breaking it down. There in the clearing was a tall white-haired woman.

“I didn’t even start this fight with you… Midget.” Nerezza’s voice hissed lightly as she flung more elemental magic at Aelwen. Aelwen swung her hammer and hit it into another wall the power of her strike vibrating the whole house.

“Not again,” there was a voice as a blonde girl entered the hallway. “You guys are going to piss mom off AGAIN.”

“Nice… to see its so lively here as usual,” Rosemary spoke up from behind Aeolus.

“Give it two seconds,” Belle spoke as she crossed her arms. “They won’t like it…”

Finally, the power in the house escalated ten fold to where it wasn’t easy to breathe. “What did I say about breaking stuff in my house,” the voice boomed and both of the girls who had been fighting were wrapped up in vines now. “Nerezza go to your home where your husband is. Aelwen stop being as short-tempered as you are.” Finally, the red head made her appearance. IT was no wonder they called her the most beautiful woman in all of Revaliir.

Angela waved her hand and the house fixed itself. “I swear… I did something wrong when I was raising the majority of my children. The vine moved and threw Nerezza out of the house while Aelwen was still struggling in her own. “Stay there for a while.” There was a vine keeping the small half rosenite from speaking. “ROSEMARY! Welcome home.” Angela came over and hugged her. The goddess’s green eyes moved up to Aeolus. “You must introduce me to your friend. I am very sorry about my daughters… Aellie has a short temper and Nerezza just likes to poke it.” Finally, her magical force died down enough for everyone to relax.

As they entered the massive gold and white manor, Aeolus immediately felt an array of intense magic and pressure.  Those who were housed in the manor were on a whole different level than he had encountered before, just like Toya, and his heart skipped a beat for a moment.  The pressure alone had him short on breath, wanting to feel more.  He was about to say something when a magical blase sent a woman into the wall.

As Rosemary hid behind Aeolus, the argument/fight ran its course, to which Aeolus watched with eager intent.  He wanted nothing more than to join the fray, though he knew better not to fight in someone's home, let alone in a confined space with this many people.  As the magical pressure built, though, Aeolus felt himself grow dizzy.  There was almost too much magic, when finally it all compounded when Angela appeared.

Magical vines wrapped the two women, and the Lady Angela stepped into view.  The magic in the room lessened to tolerable levels as the Goddess took care of her children, and then turned her gaze onto Rosemary and Aeolus.

Aeolus watched as Lady Angela sized him up, and he blushed a bit.  "No, it's fine.  Your daughters seem quite spirited.  If there was ever a tournament of sorts, I feel it would be an honor to challenge one of them."  This was more than true.  A part of him wanted to challenge them on the spot, but as always, he knew better.  

He took a bow, "Aeolus Silverwind.  It's a pleasure, Lady Angela."

The Rose children were strong and even Rosemary had her strong points as well. Belle, the blonde one, looked just as fragile as Rosemary. Rosemary smiled at her mother as Aeolus introduced himself. She was glad her mother seemed more receptive then her siblings.

“Those little ol’ things? They aren’t even the strongest of my brood. In terms of magic, Nerezza is a genius at the use of psionic arts but Aellie is just angry…” Angela let out a laugh and put her arms around both as she led them over to the stairs. “You showed up at the right time though. The summer festival kicks off its week-long celebration.”

Rosemary seemed happy about it as Angela pushed them up the stairs. “We have clothes and everything here to get ready. I am sure that you both are hungry, tired, and need baths.” Rosemary showed him to her room. It was full of dried flowers and paintings on the wall. A large canopy bed with colorful curtains. “This is my room…” There were bookshelves full of odd little objects most likely from her travels.

He told her to take a bath first and she nodded as she grabbed a clean little dress and left him alone for a few minutes. She came back with a towel and began to dry her long brown hair. “The water… is still warm. If you want to hurry… I put lily oils in it though.” She gave him a smile she gave him a clean set of clothes for himself.

Once he came back she had two dresses laid out on the bed and she looked confused. “Can you help me pick?” One dress was a white with a floral lace bodice with a long flowing white skirt. The skirt had two slits and was sheer. Underneath at the mid-thigh was opaque white cloth to cover her rear. The other dress was a long heart shaped bodice in crimson. It had gold details under her bust and around her shoulders and back. It was split on the thigh lined with gold on the edge.

As Angela pushed the two of them up the stares, Aeolus couldn't help but wonder just what he had gotten himself in to.  Lady Angela had apparently prepared for everything, which Aeolus barely questioned.  As the bath was offered, Aeolus told Rosemary to go ahead first.  As she cleaned herself, the silver haired man took his time looking at the many paintings that scattered the walls.  A few of them he thought he recognized, and to be fair, he wouldn't have been surprised if they were originals.  

"You've quite the collection," the celestial said, not really sure if he was being paid any mind.  It didn't matter to him, though.  He was enjoying the space, despite the overwhelming amount of magic that consumed the entire household.  After a time, Rosemary came back, wrapped in nothing but a towel.  Embarrassed, Aeolus tried to avoid looking her in the eye, and instead hurried himself along to the bath.

As he disrobed and got in the bath, he couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.  The water and oils soaked into his muscles, and he felt all of the tension fromt he travels they had leave his body.  This feels great….  He could have fallen asleep in the bath, but stirred himself awake after a moment, finishing the entire cleansing process, and readying himself for the rest of the night.  

He dried off, and put the clothes on that had been proved; a silver and white doublet with intricate golden rose vines and petals woven into the fabric, and a set of matching pants.  This…isn't my style, he thought to himself, but wore it with pride regardless.  Awaiting him, though, was Rosemary, who seemed to be struggling to pick out her dress.  She looked to him, and asked him to help.

"Well," Aeolus said, looking between the two with a slight flustered look.  "I think…you'd look good in either," he said.  "But, the white one would be my preference."  He looked to her with a smile.  "I think you'd look amazing in that."  Realizing what he said, though, he blushed, and glanced away.  "Er…I should leave while you get changed."  

“I got them from all over Revaliir… Some of them were painted for me. I like looking at art and maybe someday I would like to learn how to do it… but its hard when you don’t have a teacher.” Soon she was washed, back in the room, and looking at an embarrassed Aeolus. It was odd as she picked out the dresses and waited for him to get back. Either one would look good on her, they were picked out specifically for her after all.

She would pick up one dress and let it fall back on the bed. There were a few indecisive noises as she watched the fabrics. “The white one?” She looked at it. It would be nice for the summer weather…” She mused a bit before she blushed and nodded up to him. “Can you close the door on your way out? I’ll tell you when its okay.”

She slipped the dress on and realized her back was bare for easy access to her wings. It swooped down to the start of her hips. She swayed in the mirror to look at how it fit her before opening the door. “Okay… How does it look.” She spun around for him so he could see every inch before she brushed her hair out.

“They start with music and as soon as its dark they light the sky fire.” She pulled him along as soon as they were ready. The streets of Sularia were packed and she took him right into the market square. There were colorful shops everywhere. Stalls with rainbow roofs. She got him some of Sularia’s best traveling food. “Try.” She put the spicy food in his mouth in excitement before eating her own. “It’s so good.”

After a few minutes of eating and showing him the sights around the bazaar, she grabbed his hand and ran him through the crowd to the festive center where there were bards everywhere. “Let me show me how to dance… I’m not that great at it but it is a Sularian tradition.” She took him by the hands and showed him the steps. She was a little clumsy but she managed to do it right at least once for him to see.

She spent time with him there until it was starting to get dark and her eyes looked up at him. “Let’s find a high spot on one of the buildings to watch the sky fire!”

Aeolus waited patiently outside of the room while Rosemary got dressed.  When she came out and gave herself a little twirl, he smiled and nodded.  "You look wonderful."  Again, he realized that he was being very forward, and flushed, glancing away.  "It suits you well, little angel."  It didn't take much longer for her to finish getting ready, and soon he was being pulled along through the streets of Sularia with the festival in full bloom.

"Sky fire?" he asked curiously.  He had heard rumors of something similarly named when traveling, on how it was a Sularia exclusive treat to witness.  The two made their way through some of the stalls, enjoying the sights and trinkets there were on sale.  One particular stall had Rosemary super excited, as she pulled him to it and ordered two helpings of some spicy, yet favorable food, which she practically force fed him.  Still Aeolus did enjoy it, though the heat caught him off guard and made his eyes water up, much to Rosemary's amusement.

They even, strangely enough, saw a few men who they had traveled with early in the start of their journey.  "Oh, it's the potato farmer," Aeolus said.  He blinked.  "They must have taken an airship here, or something…otherwise there's no way for them to have beaten us here…"  He shrugged, not questioning the mysteries of the potato farmer.  After all, it was a festival for them to enjoy.

As the sky started to darken, though, Aeolus felt Rosemary's eyes on him.  "Yes?" he asked.  She spoke of wanting to find a spot to watch the sky fire, and he smiled.  "Of course.  That building there looks good."  He took her hand, leading the way as they got close to the building.  "Here," he quickly swooped her up, and jumped up the side of the building with ease, saving the two the trouble of having to use their wings.  

It only took them a few minutes to settle in, sitting down and getting prepared.  "Are you comfortable?"

She blushed up at him as he looked at her in her dress. It made her feel special which often times Rosemary did not when placed next to her sisters. “Thank you, Aeolus. I think you look nice too.” She offered him a cute little smile before they were on their way around the city. “Aye, it’s special magic. You’ll see. I’m so glad I get to share it with you. It’s one of my favorite things about Sularia!”

In the bazaar, she laughed as they got food. She even so much as force-fed him one of the yummy things they had. She only did it out of excitement and she blushed afterward and apologized. He had tears in the corner of his eyes from the spice and she chuckled a bit.

“This is a big festival. Good for men to come and visit a place with only women… We also like the wares that out of towners use. If he caught an airship it was most likely from Mamlak to here.” Once it was dark they went on the most exciting adventure. Really it wasn’t all that exciting but it was exciting to her because she got to share her favorite thing with him.

She squealed a bit as he swept her up and held onto his neck tightly. It wasn’t long before he was literally jumping up the side of the building. Taking a giant sigh of relief as he set her down she chuckled. It was easy enough for them to get settled in. “I’m fine,” She gave him a smile back at him. “I’m just glad I get to share this with you.”

As soon as night was ready the lights dimmed and a red sky fire shot up into the sky exploding for everyone. She clapped a bit as it got started but not far from there were two very naughty children. The tent where the extra sky fire was at was suddenly on fire and shot directly at Rosemary.

Aeolus and Rosemary watched the brilliant display of sky fire explode in the night sky with awe.  Rosemary had been right, there wasn't anything overly special about it, as powerful magic could easily replicate, if not outperform the sky fire, but it wasn't in the display itself where the awe came from.  It was being able to share the moment with someone, and bond over the experience.  

Of course, that experience was about to come to an abrupt end.  As Aeolus' attention was to the sky, he did not see the sky fire tent catch blaze, nor noticed the awry sky fire headed straight for them until it was too late.  The magical device struck true, hitting the two of them and bursting into a dazzling display, also throwing up smoke and dust from the rooftops.  There were a few cries from below, but for the most part, none of the rest of them knew anyone was on the roof. 

As the smoke cleared through, a winged man carrying a small little angel burst into the sky, a few feet above where they had been struck.  The doublet was torn from where Aeolus' forced his double set of wings out, and the two were covered in black scorch marks, though neither seemed to be harmed.  For a moment, Aeolus hovered in the air, his silver eyes looking at Rosemary with concern, to make sure she had not been injured.

"You have got to be the most accident prone woman I've ever met," Aeolus said.  "And I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you…"  He leaned in, and kissed her softly, and smiled.  "But I promise I'll be here to protect you…"