Chapter Text
Raya stared out at the clear night sky over Heart and she couldn't help but feel a little lost. Yes, they had defeated the Druun, all the lands had joined together as Kumandra once again and the dragons were alive and well...yet Raya felt like her path wasn't clear. Now that there was peace, she had no purpose, unless you counted sitting in endless meetings as purposeful. "Couldn't sleep?", asked a familiar voice. Raya smiled at her ba as he sat down next to her, "Want to share with your old chief what's got you up at this hour?" "I guess I spent so many years trying to destroy the Druun, that now they're gone, I don't know exactly what to do." "You've been most helpful in negotiations these past few weeks, but I know you're itching to travel or something." "Sort of ba, but I don't want to leave you either." "Don't worry about me, dewdrop, I can handle myself." "I know, but still." Father and daughter sat in silence for a bit until Benja finally spoke, "What if you visited Namaari in Fang? I know you two didn't get much time to talk between saving the world and all the meetings after and I think it could do you good." "Talk? We're good ba, no hard feelings." "Hmm, so you would be okay to spend time with her?" "I uh...guess?" Benja chuckled, "Raya, I know that you two have left a lot of things unsaid and I think that you two should start healing." "But I've forgiven her ba, it's all in the past!" "Is it?" Raya sighed, "I guess it wouldn't hurt to talk more." "I agree." Raya hugged her father, "Thanks ba, I'm going to miss you while I'm gone." "Me too, but I will do just fine without you. And while you're there, ask Chief Virana if she would be willing to visit. There are a few things I would like to discuss with her." "Of course." "Thank you dewdrop, I hope you have a good time there." "Me too ba, me too."
The next morning, Raya suited up Tuk Tuk and they began the journey to Fang. It was only a full day's ride and Raya set out early to make sure they got there before sundown. All around her, the grass was beginning to grow again and animals were beginning to move back to their home where desert lands had been before. Tuk Tuk made good time and they made it to Fang early afternoon, where the sun was still high in the sky. Two warriors greeted them and Raya slid off Tuk Tuk, "Greetings, could you tell Chief Virana and Princess Namaari that I am here?" The other warrior bowed and left quickly as the other one led Raya to the stables, where Tuk Tuk could stay. They got him settled and Raya followed the warrior inside the huge palace and into the throne room. "Princess Raya, it is an honor to have you here. For what do we owe the pleasure?", greeted Chief Virana. Raya bowed respectfully, "Merely a friendly visit your highness, though my father does request a presence with you sooner than later to discuss some trading agreements." "Of course, I will send one of my messengers tomorrow morning to arrange details. However, I doubt your father sent you all the way here when he could've sent a servant instead and I have a feeling it has to do with my daughter." Raya blushed slightly, "I was hoping to spend a few days with Namaari if that's okay." "Of course, you can find her in the palace training grounds with some members of the royal army training. You are more than welcome to stay as long as you wish." "Thank you Chief Virana", Raya bowed and left to go in search of Namaari.
Namaari hissed as she touched her side. General Atitaya had gotten a lucky sidekick and now she was paying for it. "We can stop Princess if you wish", Atitaya offered. Namaari shook her head and reclaimed her training sword, "Not a chance, cousin." Atitaya smirked and the two went at it again, harder than ever. Namaari had grown up with Atitaya and the two were pretty evenly matched. Atitaya was the only one who could even challenge Namaari in a duel...except Raya. Namaari's thoughts briefly flicked to the Heart Princess before Atitay's sword came crashing down on hers. She parried, twisted and flicked Atitaya's sword out of her hand, winning the match. "Pretty good there, Princess Undercut", teased a voice. Namaari whirled to see Raya standing there, clapping her hands with a small smile on her face. "What...what in the world? What are you doing here?" "And here I thought you missed me", Raya smirked, repeating the words they had exchanged when they had met in Tail. Namaari shook her head, "No, I mean yes it's good to see you again." Atitaya smirked at the flustered Princess and spoke up, "I will leave you two to talk, good match Princess." She left, leaving the two princesses staring at each other, not knowing exactly what to say. Namaari finally spoke, "So what exactly are you doing here?" Raya shrugged, "I hoped we could maybe spend some time together and talk? I know we didn't get much of a chance after we destroyed the Druun and I hoped we could make up for it now." "Yeah, of course. Let me change and meet you back here in 10 minutes?" Raya nodded, "Sounds good."
Namaari quickly changed and paused before heading back down. She grabbed the Sisu-pendant on instinct and then went back to the training grounds. Raya was waiting under a tree and smiled when she saw her, "Hey." "Hey", Namaari led her toward the water and the two walked silently down Fang's boardwalk. Finally, Raya spoke, "I forgive you, you know. I don't know if I ever said it, but I do." Namaari swallowed, "I don't deserve it Raya...I've never deserved you." Raya stopped them, "Namaari, you made a mistake and so has everyone else in this world. You've shown me and the rest of Kumandra that you're sorry, you can let it go." "You don't understand, I can't just let it go." "Why not?" Namaari finally broke, "Because every time I sit in those stupid meetings with various ambassadors and chiefs, they treat me like an outsider. They know what I did Raya and nothing I do will ever change that. So say all your stuff, but it won't change anything...I'll always be the girl who broke the dragon gem and brought the Druun back." "Namaari...", Raya tried speaking, but the Fang Princess held up a hand. "I don't want to hear your pity, just leave me alone." And with that, Namaari walked off and Raya was left alone with her thoughts.