The knock on Mrs. Kirn's door came just as she was setting the kettle over the fire. When she opened it, her eyes widened in disbelief.
The Grand Luminarch.
He stood tall, veiled in pristine white and gold, flanked by silent paladins. He didn't wait for pleasantries.
"The girl who healed your daughter," he said calmly. "Where is she?"
Mrs. Kirn struggled to find her voice.
Maria leaned closer, voice low but steady. "She wasn't just kind. She knew what to do… like she's done it all before."
The Luminarch asked her, "You saw it, didn't you? The light."
Maria nodded.
He rose and handed Mrs. Kirn a sealed scroll. "Deliver this to her if you see her."
As they talked, Mrs. Kirn, unaware, described her benefactor's appearance, blue eyes, a single braid draped over her shoulder, and glasses perched on her nose.
---
~(The Luminarchs Pov when they meet jinn)~
Back at the carriage route, tension brewed.
One Luminarch scoffed from inside. "We waste time roaming. Send a clergy to do this."
The Grand Luminarch's tone sharpened. "Then return home if you're so concerned. I will see her myself."
The others, shamed into silence, followed.
Their caravan cut through the city until it halted.
A paladin barked, "You? Are you tired of living? Do it elsewhere!"
Another Luminarch sighed. "What's the ruckus now?"
"Grr… commoners. Always in the way."
The carriage door swung open. Luminarch Revery stepped down.
Clad in radiant white and gold, his voice sliced the air. "What is happening here?"
"Your Holiness," a paladin bowed, "A child blocked our path."
"Insolence! How dare they stand in the way of the Godsworn?"
Another paladin stepped forward, trying to mediate. "Your Holiness, please. It was only an accident."
"Accident? Or negligence? No… stupidity! Bring her to me. I want to see the face of this imbecile."
Jinn stepped forward, silent but firm, still holding the child.
Revery's gaze sharpened. "Listen well. We are the chosen hands of the gods. The roads belong to us. There is no second chance, not here, not in heaven."
He gave a signal to clear the road and stepped back into the carriage.
But before the command could fall, the High Luminarch's voice cut through.
"Sharp tongue as ever, Revery. I told you , change that habit against commoners."
Revery turned, stiff. "Forgive me, Your Holiness. I didn't realize you were present. It's just... that young woman and the boy, she wears glasses, but they're useless and she's blocking the way."
The Grand Luminarch's eyes widened. "Glasses? A braid over her shoulder?"
"Yes, Your Holiness. But how did...wait…"
The realization struck.
"No. It can't be!..."
"Revery!" the High Luminarch roared. "You insulted the envoy of the heavens — our next Saintess! And now you've driven her away. GO! Apologize and chase her down!"
Revery paled. "Y-Yes, Your Holiness!"
He leaned out the window and bellowed. "Paladins! After her! Now!"
---
Jinn was already walking again.
Then...
"You! Young woman! Stop right there!"
Hooves thundered.
She looked back.
Not just a warning. A full pursuit.
"What the hell!!... why are they after me?!"
She turned sharply and dashed into the alleys.
She moved fast. Her steps light. Her braid whipped as she ducked through narrow paths only one person wide. The paladins followed, but in armor and formation, they couldn't keep up. Some slipped. Others cursed. Jinn vanished from their line of sight again and again.
The captain growled. "We're getting outrun by a civilian? You call yourselves trained?"
He raised a hand. "Group One — take the east flank. Group Two — intercept at market alleys. Group Three — on me. She'll head toward the ridge."
But hours passed.
Nothing.
The envoy had vanished into the city's maze.