As the four entered MeadowSong, Jax immediately grabbed Levi and started running.
"He's fine. The settings allowed us to add allies. Plus he wouldn't have made it this far," Sora said.
"Er, sorry about that Levi."
"Glad to see another elf of royalty cares about humans. Mina's vision showed the Emperor choosing to let the humans decide to stay or leave SilverCrest. You have plenty of people to win over."
With a nod, Jax started their tour.
In nearly 3 weeks, the entire city's rebuild was completed. Elves happily walked the streets, some singing, some playing games in the neighborhood.
The scent of the market caught their attention, and as they approached to order, they noticed Queen Raina out and about, chatting with the people.
"Why hello there! Happy to see you as always. Who is the human with you?" Queen Raina asked with a friendly smile, extending her hand for a shake.
"I'm the dead General, Levi Shroud, sent undercover by King Lance, to assist the elves. The pleasure is all mine," Levi said with a bow after shaking her hand.
"That's wonderful news! Well you must be hungry, the least Jax and I can do is cover a nice meal here for you. This market is fantastic! What do you fancy?"
After placing their orders, they sat and noticed how crowded the marketplace was.
"Is it this lively every day? How many are in the castle with you?" Xavier asked.
"Yes it is and only around 200 stay in the castle. Many of the people prefer their homes in the city, knowing it's protected for another 69 days. I suspect after that time, many will accept my invitation."
"How many did you invite?"
"Everyone of course. We were the fortunate Kingdom that made it to Sanctuary, unharmed."
"That's very generous of you," Sora said.
They enjoyed their meal and headed to the redecorated castle. The MeadowSong banner hung proudly from the outside of the Kingdom's walls, inside the city, on the castle and in the castle.
<><><><>
They were greeted by two guards, and followed Raina to her throne room.
Her throne radiated beautifully with an amethyst color, matching the purple and orange banner of MeadowSong. Three musical notes, one on each arm rest, and one toward the top on the backrest radiated in orange.
"It's so good to see another Elven Banner and city flourish. You've done so well, Raina," Xavier complimented the Queen.
"And Jax and I just sat around!" Eva joked and apologized for being late.
"Oh, hello Eva! If this is what happens when you sit around, I'm going to ask you and Jax to really sit around. You return to SilverCrest to take your rightful thrones." Xavier said calmly.
"Did Xavier just make a sarcastic joke? Where am I and what have you done with the real Prince?" Eva asked, with a laugh.
"My bros are teaching me to be less serious," Xavier said with a laugh.
"Bros? Only Sora could be considered your brother. I don't get it?" Jax asked.
"It's a term of endearment in the future. It's short for brother and means that two men share a close friendship, get it bro?" Xavier said.
Levi and Sora high fived each other, then fist bumped Xavier and Jax laughed.
"I got it, bro." Jax said.
"Raina, do you mind if we return to SilverCrest tomorrow?" Jax asked with a bow.
"You need not ask nor bow to me, my fellow King and Queen," Raina said, and Jax and Eva lit up with excitement.
"Thank you so much Raina! If you need us, light the torches!"
"Torches?" Sora asked.
"You haven't noticed the giant torches on top of Sanctuary's walls? In the past, when a Kingdom needed assistance, it would light a torch. The torch system between our lands is broken, but Sanctuary's can be seen from any former elven realm. We should rebuild the system between the Kingdoms and have guards on standby!"
"That's really cool. I wonder how many humans will stay?"
"Well, if I was allowed to return, I'd say three quarters but I'm guessing nearly half will stay. I would bring some elves in slowly, introducing them. Those who stay are likely to oppose Charles rule of Elven Persecution, those who leave will return to Vengeance, even though it's farther away than Prosperity, King Aegir and Queen Victoria are friendly to humans and cruel to elves." Levi explained.
"Thanks Levi, Xavier, could you please accompany us for the transition? I'm sure Stefania would like to see Sora, if the rumors are true."
"Why does everyone know something but me?" Sora asked, shaking his head.
"It's an elf thing, bro." Jax said.
The four spent a nice night in Raina's castle, each enjoying their own room.
<><><><>
The next morning, Jax, Eva and company said their goodbyes and thanked Raina for everything.
Sora and Levi headed back to Sanctuary, while Jax, Eva and Xavier rode to SilverCrest, not knowing what to expect.
When they arrived, they were surprised the gates to the Kingdom were wide open. They could see and hear the unorganized chaos through the gates.
"Seems like we have quite the mess to clean up. Looks like without formal leadership, this Kingdom is just waiting for help?"
"Thank you for these, Xavier." Eva said politely, as her and Jax put on their crowns.
They were both a beautiful pair of Golden crowns, with emeralds and opals embedded around them. Jax's was only slightly larger than Eva's, and Xavier told them they looked good.
They also wore the colors and logo of SilverCrest. Jax and Eva both wore robes for the Kings and Queens. Their robes were an eloquent silver, with emerald green waistbands and on the shoulders.
On each shoulder, a large, silver shield sat neatly on the Emerald green with SC inscribed.
"Never thought I'd get to wear this," Jax said with a smile.
As they rode in, the city froze. All the chatter from the outer city immediately stopped.
"Hello everyone! I am King Jax Reinhart and this is my beautiful wife Eva Reinhart. You may recognize Prince Xavier Fang, but I assure you, we bring you no harm nor ill will."
The crowd stared in silence and confusion. Why were elves and not humans coming to help?