Two Queens

Light flashed around Bai Xiaowen. He had no idea how long he spent inside the teleportation array.

At last, the weightless sensation vanished, and he felt solid ground beneath his feet again.

"Welcome to Mushadir, capital of the Elf Kingdom and the City of Nature."

As soon as Bai Xiaowen stepped out of the teleportation array, he saw two rows of elves approaching in procession.

At their head were two Elven Spellbreakers carrying double-edged swords and narrow shields. When they reached Bai Xiaowen, they parted to either side and stood facing each other at attention.

Behind them came two Elven Sword Bards. They drew Calyx Rapiers from their waists, stepped forward, and took up the same positions.

Next came two Elven Secret Marksmen, followed by two elves in long robes embroidered with stars.

Bai Xiaowen recognized the first three pairs—the Spellbreakers, Sword Bards, and Secret Marksmen—as professions unique to the elves. He had read descriptions of them while browsing books in the Kingdom of Camelot. But he could not identify the last two elves in starry robes.

A sweep of Insight revealed that both specialized in mental power. Their profession was Star Mage, and unlike the six before them, both were Leader Tier.

Two Leader Tier figures had joined the procession just to welcome him. Bai Xiaowen was a little overwhelmed...

And that was not all. Once the procession had taken its places, an elven girl led a unicorn forward alongside another girl carrying a flowerpot.

The pot held petals that had fallen naturally and been gathered before they touched the earth. Each still carried a faint fragrance. The girl reached into the pot and gently scattered petals toward Bai Xiaowen.

The petals drifted around him like rain. Perhaps through some use of magic, not one touched the ground; they