The guest chambers turned out to be entire apartments carved into the massive tree's trunk.
Each room connected through living archways, with furniture that grew straight from the floor. Melisa left the others arguing over sleeping arrangements and wandered the palace corridors.
She needed to think.
Two nim rounded a corner ahead, deep in conversation. The woman carried scrolls. The man wore what looked like guard armor, though lighter than Syux's style. They walked with purpose, discussing patrol schedules.
[Wait. What?]
Melisa stopped dead in the hallway.
The two nim noticed her staring. The woman's tail flicked with annoyance.
"Can we help you?" she asked.
"I... no. Sorry."
"Then why are you gawking?" The man frowned. "Is there something on my face?"
"No! No, I just..." Melisa fumbled for words. "You're nim."
"Obviously." The woman's eyes narrowed. "And you're that visiting mage everyone's talking about. What's your problem?"
"Nothing! There's no problem!"
