They reached the City in the rising heat of the morning; headed straight through the calmly lying districts and the markets just springing to life; dodged people out walking dogs and meerkats, riding various creatures, as well as heading to early engagements and the opening of shops. The adventurers found the gate at Shrine and were rushed in by a cadre of Guards all wearing formerly worried faces newly turned to joy at the arrival of the missing expedition party.
The Elite Guard who hadn’t slept the night found places of rest in the Tower while everyone else, Yaris included, quickly washed and changed and had a little food. They were then directed to the top of the tower to face the Counsel.
Raahi served as the spokesman for the group, outlining in his soothing voice the events that occurred, the decisions made and the reason Yaris was there appraising the room with a slightly terrified look in her eyes.
“Are you going to kill me?” she broke into the proceedings.
“What?” Speaker Han asked.
“I understand. I mean, you can tell me. I expect you to,” Yaris said plainly.
Speaker Han looked to Raahi.
“Of course you won’t be harmed in any way,” Raahi said. “We would never do that.”
“Oh. Why not?”
Raahi said, “we don’t kill people here. And besides, you haven’t done anything wrong.”
Yaris looked at the ground.
Speaker Han came over and put her hand on the girl’s shoulder. “If you choose to stay here, and you can leave at any time, you will not have the kind of life you knew in the Palace. There are no palaces here. But you will never, ever be in danger, not from us.”
Yaris blinked several times. “Thank you,” she said.
“Now.” Counselor Han turned to the group. “I trust you all have had a pleasant rest. The game continues. So far as we know, there is nothing under Shrine. So if there is a way under, it has remained hidden to many generations. Yaris, I’d like you to stay here so that I might interview you further and show you around Shrine a bit. Raahi, if you would, take the children to the courtyard and look into this mystery.”