I warp to the hidey-hole I made, already changed into the 'Khi' configuration of my shell. They've got a nice perimeter going and are meticulously searching for us. Alright, let's do this.

Utilizing precise control, I tunnel up, emerging from the surface and in the warm sun. No need to hold back too much. I start running, the terrain around me blurring into colors from the speed. And after a few hours of that, including leaving strategically placed slip ups, my destination is reached.

As I start following a seldom used road, my run transitions into a brisk walk. When I cross the invisible boundary, I also pass through an invisible barrier. Due to the distance I've covered, the savanna has made way for much more greenery. And in the center of that greenery is a town. Small and quaint, circled by a short wall, not a lot of buildings, and a number of dungeons. Someone is already ready to meet me at the perpetually open gate.

"Hi there," a gnome calls out to me when I am appropriately close. "Everythin' alright?"

"No," I answer. "My name is Khi'Na, Crown Princess of Querin. The principality of Veyrin is intent on capturing me. I request asylum."

The gnome mulls over my words for a few seconds. But then he motions welcomingly. "Come on in then. We'll get you sorted."

"Thank you."

When I cross the gate, I feel an incredibly powerful spell enclose the whole gnome enclave.

The gnome frowns. "Anti-teleportation." Then he turns his gaze to somewhere behind me. "I wouldn't come any closer."

A beastfolk says from where he is standing, following the command for now, "By authority of Sovereign Sha'Myr, you are obligated to let me pass."

"No I ain't."

"That woman is a dangerous criminal. Whatever she has told you is a lie. You need to help me apprehend her."

The gnome turns his head slightly but does not take his eyes off the intruder. "Garin! We have some hooligans that are in need of a thumpin'!"

Garin appears next to the one that called him. "Aven't 'ad a good thumpin' in a while."

Two versus... twenty-seven. Poor beastfolk chose the wrong gnomes to mess with.

"You can't protect both her and what's behind you," the beastfolk says.

"We'll see," the first gnome says. Garin licks his lips for some reason.

I interject with a shout, "Stop!" These beastfolk owe me so much.

"You sure, missy? We can take 'em," the gnome says. Garin nods a bit too enthusiastically.

My voice is a whisper. "He's right. And there will be a lot more coming. The best thing you can do for me is to inform Sovereign Rak'Na. Tell her I said, 'The catch is on the outskirts'."

As I start walking away and toward the awaiting beastfolk, the gnome nods and simply observes. Garin is utterly dejected at how the situation has resolved. Is he actually kicking at the ground? Read the room, please.

When I stop in front of the beastfolk, another five disengage their stealth spells and surround me. The one in charge places a hand on my shoulder and sends a pulse of mana. Satisfied with my identity, he wordlessly points at Khi's ring. I take it off my finger and hand it to him. A teleportation spell starts getting channeled around us. Not ten seconds later, we are in a new location. Specifically, a windowless room inside the Veyrin royal palace.

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I am issued an implied command, "Your storage." Another pile of clothes nearby signals my second wardrobe change for today. At least they are respectful enough to look away. After I've put on some drab tunic, my new outfit is finished off with a tasteful accessory. A metal collar, with soft inner padding, is clasped around my neck.

Alert. Warp drive disabled. Gravity drive disabled.

The moment the metal seamlessly snaps into place, my knees buckle. Without any active resistance, the enchanted collar drains my mana supply in moments. Any regeneration or absorption is useless to staunch the flow. My mana senses are sluggish and disorientated, struggling to pick up the ambient mana around me. My mana field is weakened. Tempering feels like trying to swim through concrete, and spellcasting is even more out of the question. Urgh... This is way worse than when I couldn't use magic at all.

Though the negative sensation does not last for long. As soon as I've adapted to the restraint and regained some strength, I start getting escorted through the palace. We ascend a fair number of staircases, leaving the bowels of the royal residence, and catching the first glimpses of outside.

Veyrin's capital city—Vey'Chak'Pir, Where the Fangs Rest. Few of its kind can be found in this world. Decently populated, being the largest city in the principality. Situated on a wide river that splits it into two. Earthy tones complimenting the arid climate. And one of its most significant qualities—its proximity to the coast, only a dozen kilometers away. Halfway to the ocean, there is a grand barrier, staffed by powerful mages, damming the river. While the protective magic lets water and cuddlier fish through, it makes sure that no water-based monsters with a less than friendly disposition can go upstream and wreak havoc upon any settlements that take advantage of the river.

My observations are brought to a close when I myself am brought before a set of double doors. One of the beastfolk presses both hands against each leaf and pushes. The door opens with effort, revealing the throne room. Inside is a single figure, waiting for me at the foot of his throne.

The beastfolk escorting me ushers me forth, and soon, I am standing before Sovereign Sha'Myr. An older man, hair and fur graying.

His voice is soft and disarming, nearly kind. "Hello, Princess Khi'Na. What unfortunate circumstances for us to meet under."

"Sovereign Sha'Myr," I greet back.

He smiles at me, his blank eyes betraying that there is no enjoyment behind the expression. "I hope we can keep our relationship polite, and mostly importantly, short."

"Very well. Then, may I make a request?" Sha'Myr nods, the smile still on his face. "Kor'To."

The sovereign glances at one of the beastfolk. She blinks away and almost immediately returns with my request fulfilled.

"Your Highness!" Kor'To exclaims, trying to approach me. Only for one of the beastfolk to bar his way. More for his protection than mine.

I turn to him and stare into his eyes. "Why?"

His face falls. "I did it for you! Lucius was never supposed to get hurt. I know how miserable you are under her. And you know how she is. The fight is already lost, but she'll never admit it. What I did will save our people. And will once again unite our kin!"

"Ah. You were deluded enough to believe your own lies." I turn away from him and face Sha'Myr again. "Let's start our cooperation amicably. If I don't see him again, I won't make your life difficult."

"Your Highness... I'm sorry. But you'll understand," Kor'To says. As the beastfolk woman prepares to teleport him away, his gaze lingers on me.

When he is gone, Sha'Myr speaks up, "What did happen to the human?"

"He left."

Sha'Myr hums softly. "Left?"

"I told him to."

"And he listened?" Sha'Myr asks.

"Evidently."

The smile grows. "Well, he'll turn up, I'm sure. But why don't we focus on you. As long as you are in my care, your safety is guaranteed. And when I've rightfully ascended as Ruler, you will be free to return home. While you are here, all your needs will be met, and you can ask for whatever your heart desires." He quickly adds, "Within reason, of course." He motions to one of the beastfolk. "You would probably like to rest after all the excitement." As I once again start getting escorted to somewhere, Sha'Myr concludes our brief meeting with a final statement, "Enjoy your stay."

I am brought to a separate wing of the palace, devoid of any personnel. The long corridor has ten rooms on each side and ends with a spacious dining area. One of the beastfolk points to a door, and I am left on my own. Did they have to put me in the farthest room...

The door I've been pointed to is ignored for now. I knock on the one opposite. After a moment, the handle turns down, and the door opens.

A tiny voice asks, "Who are you?"

"Princess Khi'Na of Querin."

"Princess Mi'Min of Lohrin," she automatically introduces herself, too.

Her confused and slightly frightened gaze shifts to my neck. A small hand grips at her own collar. The little girl stumbles forward and latches onto me. She starts to sob, both for herself and for me. I hug her back.

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