Two days had passed since the night the country would remember for the rest of their lives, Zephro was in a bit of a turmoil. When everyone got back to the palace on the first, the sun shone bright on the knights of Zephro. The heavily injured placed in the infirmary, the injured who could move helped place their dead in the sanctuary, a specific side set for them with runes around it that kept the place cold for bodies to stay fresh in case something like this happened. The runes on Zephro were usually powerful as it was, until Qete arrived seven years ago with an ability that only did great for Zephro. Nearly every rune was strengthened, defenses and a few things that relied on runes for easier use were made a lot easier, she was loved by most due to her loyalty and support to the country as well.
Eliza, Qete, Naja, Kal and Zed were in the palace, trying to settle down themselves, they had arguments on the event of the night and they were all emotionally drained due to their choices, their loses and overall, their unfortunate circumstances. Lore wasn't around since she carried too much on her heart and it was clear to anyone who saw her that her heart was the heaviest it could've been. They went on for quite a while, so much so that the Royal Guards began worrying, wondering where Alloy and Ivy were and how Trogan passed, mumbling to each other that this had never happened before. This was different. In no time, the second day had arrived when Zephro got the news that King Zed had announced to them.
He had explained everything, how the knights had gone to check the disturbance, how they felt something was wrong and went to help, how prepared their enemy was, how they failed, and how Ivy was taken. The shock was already too much for the whole kingdom to process, but the next bit was what shocked them even more…
The next day, Zed had landed in Navi town in the evening, he had passed by all the other towns in order to calm the people down and assure them that the kingdom would never have to experience this again, he sat down with each and every leader to speak with them.
To the South-eastern end of Zephro lay Autler town, its noble town above the bridge was Aubir. With the help of Kal, the Noble Commander of the town, he went to Autler to speak with Mayor Balta as well as assure him on the case.
To North-east lay Gar, the town Trogan used to be in charge of after its Noble counterpart, Rale, he had gone to check on Mayor Laron as well as his son, Lenott, who kept taking care of his father due to his illness, he went to do the same to him and the townsfolk staying there.
Korra was to the direct East of the country, Qete led the Syndicate troops there and she didn't involve any more then three captains of the situation that occurred due to their business being different from the politics of the Kingdom, they were assigned to stay in their barracks and let the kingdom handle it the best way they knew how.
Then finally, the horizon began dying down, the light that shone on the whole island gave of an orange hue in the clouds and the sky, creating a beautiful view, to which Zed looked at and smiled ever so slightly. He had arrived at the dusty humble town of Navi with Lore leading the Royal guards who were his security, and at the entrance, Soran awaited him, they had to talk anyway, but Soran had waited since he also had something to share with him. A bunch of townsfolk had arrived to see that the king was there. They couldn't hold in their questions. Everyone asked him a question or two.
"Where did Alloy go exactly??"
"How could any of this happen??"
"Zedlis-sama!! Please explain to us!!"
"King-sama!!"
"THAT'S ENOUGH!!" Soran roared at them. "GIVE THE KING HIS SPACE AND HEAD BACK TO YOUR HOMES!! NOW!!"
The towners began heading back to their homes with quite a few who had opinions on what was happening.
"What's got Soran-san so bent out of shape??" They asked.
"Is Eliza-sama upset??"
"What are we going to do if this happens again??"
Zedlis and Soran began moving, Lore left a few of the Royal Guards at the gate and she trotted slow behind Zed's horse with hers to Trogan's home, which wasn't far from the entrance at all. The knights behind them also had chatter going round some of the escort about the same situation that took place no more than twenty hours ago, they did not last longer than Lore's patience, she silenced them. Unlike her employer, she didn't have the strength to keep her emotions in check, she had nothing but her quiet tears to keep her company.
It didn't take long before they got to the humble home of the mayor. It was quite a sight for the entire town every time they passed by it. The exterior of the home was a simple sturdy structure of timber and stone, with a sloping, thatched roof that extended slightly beyond the walls. The wooden beams were polished and darkened with oil as they carried the warmth of age. The stonework was clean, set wherever needed, ensuring the house would stand for generations to come. Right at the front, a garden flourished under the expert care of his wife. Wildflowers in shades of violet, gold and white swayed in the slightly dusty breeze, left to bloom as a nod to the past.Soran was one to value privacy, and the whole town knew that very well, so as he opened the wooden door, engraved subtly with interwoven vines for the king, the town members who lingered around bowed once in respect as they left the grounds. Lore was about to take a position with the rest of the knights to protect the mayor's house once she had set orders for everyone else, she finished her duty of leading the royal guard, but as she was ready to leave the king's presence to the house of Soran, the mayor's door swung open as his wife came out in her kimono and hugged Zed.
"Ellie…" Zed began.
"Just come in…" she ushered him.
Lore watched as he entered the house, she turned around to guard the main door. She felt a hand touch her shoulder, startled, she checked behind to see who it was.
"Soran-san??" She noticed.
"Knights are strong," he began. "They are supposed to be because they are meant to guard a kingdom." He spoke with a soft voice. " Noble commanders and Royal guards are stronger because the king is the direct leader, but he is also always in the most danger. However, no one is ever strong enough to guard their emotions." He removed his hand from her shoulder and signaled her to enter. "I understand that you lost someone dear to you as well. Come."