A scoff was all Théadan got for calling her a troublemaker…for the time being. She did not want to try to get back at him right then after all; they had a witness and they needed to get a leg up on the day. So Navia just shook her head and turned to return to Varinata’s side as Théadan announced they were ready to leave. She agreed and though he pointed out Mandira was not far from them and that was going to lead them into much of what they had been talking about for weeks, Navia was also motivated to leave so she could have her revenge against Théadan. Hands gathering up Vari’s leads to guide her toward the door, Navia glanced back at Rahul as Théadan thanked him again. The man looked up from guiding his own horses out of their stalls, a pleased grin that Théadan used his name immediately blossoming on the weathered farmer’s face.<br/><br/>“<i>Dhanyu!</i>” Navia called out as well, taking a moment to wave at the helpful man, “<i>Milamah!</i>” Rahul returned the phrase for goodbye happily, then returned to his work and left Navia to look back to Théadan. He was already on Wyn’s back, so she placed her foot in the stirrup and went to follow. She mounted Vari easily, then took the time to brush her loose hair back from her shoulders while Théadan spoke. The question of whether she was ready to return home was a provoking one and Navia’s dark eyes slid over to center on Théadan thoughtfully. How long had she waited to go home? To see her family? It had to have been since the instant she had been trapped by Théadan and forced to join him on Wyndagar’s back. It felt like ages ago, like she had been dreaming of returning home for so long, yet with that moment upon her, Navia could feel the nerves.<br/><br/>“I am,” she agreed, giving Varinata a silent command with her legs to begin walking out of the barn and knowing Théadan would follow. They had been riding together long enough to know each other’s habits; she knew he and Wyn would end up walking beside her and Vari once there was room, “It feels a little surreal to think I will be back walking through the halls I grew up in, but I’m ready to share it and my family with you.” That was a major motivator for her to return home. She had cost Théadan his family, his home, and though he would never blame her for it, Navia felt the need to give back for it. He could share her home, her life, her family, and then they would have a new life to bind them together into a little family all their own.<br/><br/>It took several hours of riding through the jungle before it eventually began to thin out and be left by fields of farming and the occasional tree. They had traveled through those fields for a time, waving at workers as they passed and discussing the types of crops that were being grown. Eventually the city they sought could be seen in the distance, and when their horses paused at the crest of some of the little hills they came cross every once in a while, a glimpse of the sea could be seen. Salt was on the air and the occasional seabird called overhead. By the time the massive protective wall that encased the northern end of the city came into view, Navia had gotten over the nerves she had been experiencing and felt nothing but excitement. They were truly home.<br/><br/>Another line of people trying to enter Mandira was backed up, longer than the one into Puri and filled with a mixture of merchants and traveling families or groups. They came to the end of it and Navia frowned. They were so close to finishing their journey, she did not want to spend the last of it waiting in line to enter a city her family reigned over. “Let’s go around this line,” Navia suggested, glancing Théadan’s way before guiding Vari around the back of the line. With the horses trotting to the front gates, it did not take long for them to reach the point where guards were questioning people. Before Navia could say a thing, the three armor-clad guards all looked her way suspiciously before one gaped at her and elbowed one of his comrades, “<i>Sitvati!</i>” Navia nodded and greeted them, but it was not expected for her to explain her presence. They were immediately shuffling aside to give them passage.<br/><br/>The stone wall that protected Mandira from any northern foes was far taller than the rest of the city, allowing for shade during the day, protection from arrows, and a show of might to any invaders. It was smoothly built, none of the lines from the bricks that built it showing, and the entrance had the portcullis drawn up and the massive, ornately carved wooden doors open to the side to let travelers in. “They depict the creation of Mandira,” Navia explained as they rode past the doors. As soon as they were within the walls, she pulled Varinata to the side so they could experience a first look of Mandira together. The city was bustling, a maze of small roads that winded around it all sounding as though music or chatter were coming from them. The buildings were stark white, but color was everywhere in the plants that grew, the trees that shaded, and the various colors of silks hanging out of windows in the breeze, what people wore, and Khluri flags proudly displayed. “We still have to travel south to the palace,” Navia explained, pointing toward one of the westward roads that disappeared around a corner, “We’ll go this way so you can see the markets down by the water. How does that sound?”