Chapter Text
“No. Take it off.”
“Callum you can’t be serious!”
“Everyone needs to see you. No more ‘human Rayla’. Besides Ezran already told the kingdom about…”
“I know he did, but that doesn't change hundreds of years of violence and hate!”
Callum sighed. “I know Rayla, but Aunt Amaya will be there to escort us through…”
“Yeah that makes everything sooo much better,” She rolled her eyes.
“Ez told her everything!”
Rayla sighed. “Fine,” She lowered her hood. They were standing just outside the center of Katolis. Just outside the town that surrounded the castle. Callum could see the fait outline of his and a a small group of armed humans standing outside the gate, waiting for them.
“I’ll go in after you make sure your aunt isn’t going to attack me.”
Callum rolled his eyes and sighed. “Fine.”
…
‘Hello.’ Callum signed to his Aunt.
‘Callum!’ She hugged him. ‘Where’s the elf?’
‘She wants to make sure you aren’t going to attack her before she comes out.’
Amaya smiled. ‘I won’t.’
Callum turned to call for Rayla, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him. ‘Before you call her, I want to know, why did you lie to me?’
Callum sighed. “I don’t know,” He paused and switched back to signing. ‘I guess I just didn’t think you would understand, like I thought it would just be better to lie, I guess. I’m sorry.’
Amaya nodded. ‘Thank you, but please don’t lie to me anymore.’
‘Don’t worry, I won’t,” he turned to where Rayla was hiding. “Rayla, you can some out now!”
She stepped forward and waved sheepishly. “Hello.”
“Hello Rayla.” Callum translated his aunt’s signing.
Commander Gren stepped forward, signing as he speaks. “I’m Gren, Amaya’s translator.”
‘And I’m Amaya, but you already knew that. Sorry for attacking you.’
“It’s okay,” Rayla smiled.
Amaya smiled back, turning around. ‘Come on, now.’
The streets were lined with people eager to see the elf that their new king had apparently befriended.
“Now I kinda wish he hadn’t said anything,” Rayla whispered.
Callum chuckled. “You’re probably the first moonshadow elf these people have ever seen.”
“Great,” She rolled her eyes. “Bet they all think I’m a monster, huh?”
Callum shrugged. “Yeah, probably.”
Rayla scoffed. “Super helpful.”
…
“Rayla!” Ezran yelled, running up to her.
“Ez!” She smiled, dropping down to one knee as they hugged. Within moments they were surrounded by guards, weapons drawn.
Ez growled, standing. “We talked about this! Rayla is not a threat!”
The guards glanced at each other.
Ez growled again, waving his arms in a ‘shoo’ motion. “So! Get back! Go!”
The guards backed away, sheathing their weapons. He looked back at Rayla. “Sorry about them.”
Rayla shrugged. “It’s okay. At least you’re safe.”
Ezran smiled, then turned to the gaurds. “Rayla will be staying in the castle with us. All of you are to treat her with respect, and trust that she isn’t a threat. Anyone who breaks this rule will have to answer to me.” He stepped to his aunt and began to sign. ‘Thank you for escorting her through the city.’
‘No problem.’ She signed back. ‘I will return to the breach, you can never be too careful.’
‘Okay. Be defensive, don’t attack unless provoked.’
‘Of course, my king.’
Ezran was about to object when his aunt smiled and ruffled his hair.
‘I love you, aunt Amaya.’
‘I love you too, Ezran.’
Amaya and her troop began the walk a out of the city. Ezran turned back to Rayla and Callum. “I was thinking it would be best for you two to always be together, I’ve done what I can but clearly no one is listening. They won’t attack you with Callum around, they know I’d trust his word more than anyone.”
Rayla nodded. “I can do that, besides, I don’t really want to be alone surrounded by all these humans. Without my disguise, of course.”
Ezran laughed, then turned to Callum. “I was thinking Rayla should stay in my old room. It’s close enough that she should be safe.”
Callum nodded. “Sounds great.”
…
“This is the dining hall.” Callum said, pointing down a corridor.
“So this is where you grew up?”
Callum shrugged. “For the most part, yeah.”
“What a comfortable life you have.”
Callum chuckled. “Yeah. Anyway we’re getting close to where we’re going to stay.”
Rayla watched as he opened the door. “This is my room, and this,” he opened the door on the other wall. “Is your room.”
Rayla walked inside, looking around. She sat on the bed. “This is.. Soft.”
“Are Xadian beds not this comfortable?” Callum asked, sitting beside her.
She shook her head. “No, not really.”
Callum yawned. “I’ll show you around some more tomorrow. It’s been a long day and I’m pretty excited to have a real bed again.”
Rayla nodded, she looked exhausted too.