Qaddriyah walked slowly into the market of Monstadt, a picture of grace and tranquility. She drew plenty of unwanted attention from locals and tourists alike. She wondered if it was because she wore a hood and veil or if it was the glowing green Vision dangling from the amulet on her belt. She shrugged and figured that it was probably a bit of both. She probably looked quite foreign even to the most worldly citizens of Monstadt and Liyue. In no hurry, she headed over toward a sign that read With Wind Comes Glory which looked like a souvenir shop. A smiling brunette wearing an apron was assisting another customer so Qaddriyah waited her turn.
She felt a tug on her belt and realized immediately that some ruffian was trying to take off with her money purse. She instantly lashed out her hand and a thorn whip magically formed and surrounded her target in an explosion of rose petals. As the thorns sank into the young man’s skin, he yelped and dropped the purse but he could not extricate himself from the vine to run away. A fiery arrow came from above and Qaddriyah’s whip instantly burned up in the sudden heat. The young thief scampered off as Qaddriyah shielded her eyes from the sun and looked up to see a young woman dressed in red, holding a bow and looking fierce.
“Stay where you are,” the woman said. “Only the Knights of Favonius can use a Vision within Monstadt’s walls.” Everybody on the street froze for a moment and then moved away from Qaddriyah, getting out of range of the target.
“The ruffian was trying to rob me,” Qaddriyah said calmly but indignantly. “I was merely trying to teach him a lesson. The lesson is taught, I am satisfied.” She kept her hands visible as she faced down this archer.
“Rules are rules,” the woman said. “We’ll just have a chat back at headquarters and clear all of this up. You’re not in any major trouble. I promise.”
“But I could be if I don’t watch myself?” Qaddriyah said softly, narrowing her eyes. “I will behave.”
“So distrustful,” the woman said, gliding down from her perch. “Relax. My name is Amber, Outrider of the Knights of Favonius.”
“My name is Qaddriyah,” she said. “of Sumeru.” She was not sure how much of her story to offer upfront.
“Can you state your business here in Monstadt?” Amber asked with a smile but her eyes were definitely studying the foreigner.
“I am here in search of Lisa,” Qaddriyah said. “We went to school together and I need her help.”
“Hmm,” Amber said, relaxing a bit. “Let’s go see Lisa then. She’s at headquarters anyway. Maybe we can just forget that this whole thing happened.”
“That would be agreeable,” Qaddriyah said. She knew that she was hard to read with her face covered. She tried to convey everything through her eyes. “Lead the way and I will follow.”
Amber turned and gestured for Qaddriyah to follow her and they walked through town to the headquarters of the Knights. Amber lead the way directly to the library where Lisa was dosing a little at a desk.
“Lisa?” Amber asked. “Do you know this woman?”
Lisa snapped awake and tilted her hat back on her head as she yawned. She spotted Qaddriyah and her eyes went wide and she smiled. “Qaddri!” she said in her best librarian “shout”. “How are you, cutie?”
Qaddriyah was thankful that her veil hid her blush. “I am well,” she said. “but I need your help.” At last, she was standing before her old schoolmate and everything was going to be alright.
“What can I do for you?” Lisa asked. She put a bookmark in an old book and slowly closed it.
“I need your help back in Sumeru,” Qaddriyah asked calmly. She knew how eager Lisa had been to leave Sumeru and she suspected the mage would not want to return. Still, she had to ask.
“Ooh,” Lisa said with a frown. “That might be difficult to manage but if you really need help, I do have the perfect person for you to meet. They have been very helpful around here.”
“Should I go fetch The Honorary Knight?” Amber asked.
“I think you should,” Lisa said. “I’ll pour the tea. Come, Qaddri, let’s catch up.”
Tags: A to Z Blogging Challenge, Fanfiction, Genshin Impact, Q
Wolf of Words 
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