As Ambrose had suggested, Eckhart confirmed that the object Rowan held was a moonstone. She took another careful look at inspecting it from every angle. She had no idea what this etched stone was before it was explained. So how did Ambrose know? Rowan didn't have him pinned as someone knowledgeable in stonework. Perhaps she underestimated him, but there was no way she would admit to that.
"...that moonstone is the symbol of one such group of like minded individuals. They are wise in their own way, and their matron's power comes from her home world and not of the Song itself. She must have divined your presence in some way, take it as compliment and invitation."
It was a compliment indeed. Rowan gazed at the moonstone one last time before slipping it into one of her belt pouches.
Rowan bowed her head with a smile to Eckhart in thanks. She had many more questions to ask and to say to the man. But he seemed occupied fielding the group's questions as it was. Which left her mind to wonder about the explanation he gave.
The people in this land seemed transfixed by this song, even Rowan was following its tune without fully realising it. Did it carry some religious significance in Yo'Bikur? It clearly carried some divine power with its ebbs and flows. So would a group that doesn't draw power from the song be considered heretical? From the way Eckhart regarded them, this clearly wasn't the case. In fact, assuming Rowan was being mistaken for one of these individuals, the unusual reverence from the crowd would mean they are highly regarded.
If this moonstone gift was to double as an invite, it was one she would be eager to accept when the time arose.
And what did he mean by home world?
'Questions for another time...'"As for his trinket... That is, I believe, a child's toy meant to be given to good friends..."
Rowan was taken out of her pondering when she heard Ambrose had been given a kids toy. She couldn't help but giggle to herself.
"Well when you go to partake in the sacred soup, make sure to grab the kiddie meal eh Ambrose?" While Rowan spoke in a joking tone, it didn't carry any mean-spirited intent.
Rowan followed the etchings on the bridge. The deer she had seen earlier instantly caught her attention. The flicker she had seen earlier that day must have been some way of her peering through the veil into this world. Then the snake rose from a waterfall which she couldn't help but associate with the lake. And finally, a light peering from a mountain. That was happening now. All these events grew more recent chronologically as they drew closer to their destination and the tune became louder in her head.
"Aud, do you believe in destiny?" She picked up her voice a bit to welcome others into the conversation.
"These stones have been here a long time. But if I didn't know any better..."Eckehart pauses here, and faces the group.
"Are there any other questions before we make audience with the princess? She has been waiting for you, all of you, for a very long time."
Question answered I suppose"...If what I'm hearing is Rulania, and you're saying it is, then I just want to cross as fast as possible." Freyja says quietly, a small blush filling her cheeks. "If she's been waiting on us, then I'm ready."...Ever hasty, that Freyja.
Rowan came up and stood beside Freyja, if a little further back.
"I'm ready as well. I assume it is rude to keep royalty waiting."