For several minutes light rumbling could be felt through the streets of New Avalon. At first it seemed to be a minor earthquake though it was not doing any damage to the buildings or walkways. Then soon the rumbling began to increase in amplitude however the source of the rumbling was soon noticed. A rather large portal had torn itself open in the sky above, yet that didn't seem to be the true source of the rumbling. Still either way those that were in the city felt compelled to flee for a few seconds until something else compelled them to stay and watch. For the space of twenty minutes the portal widened as the form of a large ship of unknown origin and design emerged bringing with it a loud roar that would last until the ship had fully emerged from the portal. When this ship had fully emerged the sight was a wonder to behold, the whole upper deck was covered in the green of several plants that had grown along the railing. However the ship appeared to be a warship due to the large cannons that were mounted in turrets on its top and underside.

After it arrived the rear turret turned to face the portal and one of the cannons fired, throwing a blazing white projectile into the portal. Soon the rumbling ceased as the portal shut closed leaving only the strange ship hovering in the sky above. Where it came from and who it belonged to was something left to be seen. However the news of its arrival traveled quickly. There was something familiar to it though, perhaps in its design or a presence that could be felt from within it.

Confused with the shifting of the earth beneath her feet, Esmeradin went to the window of her chambers, spotting the ship coming to rest on the ground. Her eyes grew wide as she could not tell for certain if it was whom she believed it was, she had encountered a few of other empires long fallen to dust, that had desired to forcefully take over and seize control before in just as advanced of shuttles.

She turned away from the window, prompting the maid to take her son and hide him until they knew it was safe for him to be in the open again. The last thing she needed was her son to be hurt and or killed by a stranger from another land. With this directive in mind, the child was huddled away with a few of the servant children in safe hold, while Esme strode out of her chambers and down the spiraling stairs of the Spire to investigate the newcomer and their intention upon arrival.

For the space of twenty or so minutes the ship hung still in the sky after the portal closed and then with a sudden movement the ship centered itself over the ruins of a building that had once been a grand marketplace. Soon afterward a series of shudders shook the ground under the ruined building as it began to be rebuilt by some unknown force that was coming from within the ship itself. There was a powerful being on board that ship, yet it seemed to be benevolent in its intentions. After ten minutes the marketplace was completely rebuilt as though it had always been there in that condition. Who could it be that was doing this? There was a familiarity to the aura that flowed from the ship but it was different in how much more powerful it seemed to be. Regardless once the marketplace was rebuilt the ship moved on towards another building and the same process was begun there at least until the being seemed to notice the presence of Esmeradin. Its attention soon turned towards her and words began to form in her mind. "Greetings Old Friend. A long time has past since we last met. I should hope you are doing well. Though this city has seen better times it seems."

Then when the being finished its conversation, its attention returned to the building it was reconstructing and rebuilt it with the addition of a tower that ascended up to the height of the Skyship's upper deck. A railed ramp then extended out from the skyship to the top of the tower. It seemed that the being on board was expecting Esmeradin or someone for that matter to come aboard and greet him face to face.

"Old friend?" Esme stepped back from the sender, taking a critical look at it before tilting her head as she spoke up. "Who is this? What are you doing here?" Her words sounded terse, she was already nervous enough with the intrusion, but hearing the voice and being called an Old Friend gave her a start.

She watched as the buildings were reset to the way they once were and perked a brow as she looked up at the ship and back down at the market place which had been restored rather quickly. "Why are you here?"

Of course her questions were commonplace, but her actions and body language spoke of someone that was nervous indeed, keeping her distance and remaining alert.

"So it seems time really has past enough that you have forgotten who I am. As for why I am here it is to correct the mistakes I made long ago, and to give your people a hand in rebuilding. As for who I am perhaps you should take careful note of the flags waving from my Skyship. Esmeradin, Dragon Queen of New Avalon. I trust they will give you a clue. If not you are welcome to visit my skyship and see with your physical eyes who this is. However I do apologize for my startling arrival, it was not able to be helped. I will be waiting here on the bridge of the Hyperion should you decide to join me. Know that I am an old friend and came here in peace, not in aggression."

If Esme took the time to look at the flags flown above the bridge tower of the Hyperion, she would see the colors of the ancient Sovereignty of Tai'mira waving in the wind that flowed past them. This itself would clue her in to who it was that had come to visit. For a while the sky was quiet having only the distant crystalline hum of the skyship to be heard, and then with a sudden screaming sound several orbs of light flew into the air and burst into several more each exploding into a display of fireworks. There was soon a great cheer from those within the city at the sight of the fireworks. The fireworks continued to fire into the sky for the space of several minutes each more beautiful then the last.

"Good lord above, Locke? Is that really you?" Esme stepped closer to the ramp peering up into the sky at the banners and blinks wide eyed in wonder. It's been a good hundred years or so since she last saw those colors fly. "What in Bahamuts name are you doing here?"

A gathering crowd started to fill in the space around the ship and the market place. Some were shouting for the ship to get moved so shops could open, while others were cheering to see the Avalonian queen out and about. Few were silent, holding their nervous tongues from blurting out worries and questions.

"Something I should have been around to do a long time ago Esmeradin. Sadly I was not able to be here when Avalon was in trouble, my own lands were in their own dire troubles. However that is the past and we must look toward the future now." Locke paused for a moment letting only a brief scene of the destruction that had nearly destroyed Tai'mira in the past be seen by Esmeradin. It then quickly faded to a scene of how Tai'mira was now. "As you can see there I am no longer tied to one place now. But be at ease the citizens of Tai'mira are still living though no longer in the city of Tai'mira. I am the last of my kind in the known lands. Still there are those who claim to be Tai'miran yet are nothing more then imitators seeking fame. But such is the way of life. You know what, I think I shall join you down there. I have been cooped up in this ship far too long."

Soon after Locke had finished speaking he appeared suddenly fading into sight in front of Esme. "It is indeed much better out here." Locke's presence was a powerful experience, there was an aura about him one that had always been there yet had grown much stronger since the last time Esme had seen him last. "Now tell me of your trouble with that trade ship you had sent to Tallendon. It would seem you and Elros are at a bit of an impasse about it. I can assure you he has nothing to do with what happened to it. He is honor bound to the Order of the Arcane, and would not willingly do anything against your people. He believes one of his family however to have been the culprit, I am not so sure of that. I suspect there is something and someone deeper into this problem that is the true mastermind. I ask you not to end your alliance with Tallendon, simply for the reason that through it your people are beginning to prosper again. Tallendon itself gains little right now from the alliance, ending it would not hurt them but it may hurt your people. So now I pose the question. Who would find it to be a wonderful thing if your people were thrown back into depravity, and would likewise find it worth the effort to cause Tallendon trouble?"

Locke waited for an answer to his question, his hands clasped together just inches from his face.

Such an old friend, one she had not seen for so long. Tears welled in her eyes as she stiffened her chin before she responded. "I am protecting my people and my home from what may transverse and trouble us all. I have no wish to break the alliance, I merely wish the troubles to leave us be and let us rebuild."

"These troubles won't simply go away though. Be assured that Elros won't break the alliance either, not while I still have influence in these sorts of matters. These troubles will have to be dealt with, and with caution. I will help your people rebuild, I will find out what is really going on and put an end to it. Its time this land felt peace again. Elros needs some help in dealing with this problem, but it is not just his problem. I ask that you help me get to the bottom of whats going on so this can be put to rest for the good of both your people and his. Will you help?" Locke said handing a cloth to Esme.

Again he waited for a reply clasping his hands together in front of his face once more.