Alzara

Kayla looked out over the blissful port before her. The golden-red rays of the setting sun cast a scintillating mirror image on the calm sea. It was a portrait of beauty, as were most sunsets from the Pasha's grand villa. A bustle of slaves worked diligently on her person, from the grooming of her hair to the painting of her nails, applying the most expensive of makeup and perfume to her body and adorning her in the rarest of Naeralith's jewellery. Drawing her gaze away from the serene horizon, Kayla brought herself out of her private contemplation. With a frustrated rush of hands, she released herself from her fussing slaves and made her way

The monastery of Sun-Leiui appeared small, nestled into the crevices of the cliffs above like a nest in a tree. Aelia stopped a moment, resting her weary legs, her breaths heavy and laboured. Squinting slightly from the white, cloud-covered sky, she surveyed the lands below. Ralaeya. How small everything looked, and yet how vast her territories seemed. She made this pilgrimage once a year in the name of Sun-Leiui, the patron deity of peace and inner-reflection. Each time she was warned about how dangerous the journey was and how close to the Ralaeyan borders it would take her. Each time she refused guards, proclaiming that Sun-Leiui would pro

Natika crouched next to a large fallen log, concealed overhead by a large, low lying leaf. In her mouth she held a dozen cruel barbs, and in her hands she restrained a fluorescent yellow toad. Gripping her toes into the jungle soils beneath her, the Queen steadied herself and began to dip each of the barbs into the back of the toad, placing them afterwards into a restraint on her left thigh. Glancing behind her, she noted her band of female warriors doing the same, each with the advantage of being able to use their small frame to conceal their position. Once finished, Natika popped up from behind the log, quickly scanning the surrounding jung