Chapter 41: Meeting Elms
"Whoa," Lila breathed, stumbling slightly as she regained her balance. "That was... fast."
Lysaria adjusted her robes, looking pale but composed. Sherry simply nodded, her eyes narrowed in calculation as she processed the implications of such magic.
'How much are you hiding from us, Riku?' Sherry muttered to herself.
"Let's move," Riku said, already striding towards the city gates.
As they approached, the scene was even more grim than Alia had described. The crowds of refugees outside the walls seemed thinner, but also more desperate. A palpable fear hung in the air. The main gate, usually bustling, was heavily barred, and more guards than usual stood patrol, their faces grim, spears held ready. A makeshift barrier had been erected, keeping petitioners far back.
"Halt!" A guard captain stepped forward, his voice rough. "City's under quarantine! No entry or exit permitted by order of the Lord Mayor and the High Deacon!"
Lysaria stepped forward, pulling back her hood to reveal her Vestal sash. "I am Sister Lysaria of the Inner Flame. I demand entry on urgent Church matters."
The captain hesitated, clearly recognizing the rank, but shook his head firmly. "Apologies, Sister. Orders are absolute. The sickness spreads. No one enters until the Church purifies the source."
"Purifies?" Lysaria repeated sharply. "What purification?"