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Riding a horse alone... crossing the vast plains, delving deep into the forest, barely stopping even at watering holes, and without sleeping... she pressed onward.

Koai traveled south along the highway, entered the Great Forest, and headed for Taras Castle, her residence, which stood in its midst.
Day and night, she pushed forward, cutting through the forest roads that wove through the woods. Sometimes she followed the paths along the settlements of the Green Demon Tribe (Elves), and at other times, she cut straight through the leveled forest roads that split the very center of other settlements...

Perhaps in some of the settlements, she had felt the gazes of the villagers upon her.
But Koai paid them no mind.
After all, there was only one gaze Koai desired... the one from Snow.

In any case, Koai returned to Taras Castle, begrudging even a moment's rest.
Following the shore of the lake that surrounded the castle, bathed in the evening twilight, Koai reached the castle gate... and just as she was a dozen or so steps away, the gate began to open.
There was no one standing outside, nor had she announced herself to the castle... yet as the gate creaked halfway open, she could see the old man, Sodi, standing inside.

"Welcome back, Your Majesty."
The old man, Sodi, bowed deeply to Koai.

"...Is that you, Sodi? Here to greet me?"

She hadn't sent any word to the castle, so why had he been waiting for her just inside the gate...?
Koai waited for the gate to open fully so the cart could pass, but... in that brief moment, she couldn't think of any reason for Sodi to be here now.

Eventually, seeing the gate was fully open, Koai led her horse inside before dismounting.

"You must be tired from your long journey, Your Majesty... Shall we prepare supper for you first? Or perhaps..."
Sodi didn't address Koai's question, instead trying to ascertain her wishes. As he spoke, several young men appeared... they split up, some unhitching the horse from the cart, others unloading the cargo.