~

They approached the outer walls. The protective walls of Alaxi were impressive. The gleaming moonstone walls were polished and slick. Guards were patrolling from the top. The portcullis was huge- Studded with twin watchtowers, on either side. Guards were posted at entrance and exit, clad in chainmail. A tunnel fifteen feet long, and seven wide was the great entrance. It had a huge inward opening wooden doors studded with metal. Sydnei gasped, straying her horse close to the wall so she could trail her fingers across the stone. 

 “What are you doing there, miss?” Asked a guard, as he adjusted his grip on his weapon.. “They’re impressive, aren't they? Impossible to scale. They say the whole Elven capital is made of this stuff.” Sydnei ignored the guard and rejoined the group; riding as close as she could to Jack. 

Jack frowned. Then again, a few years back a Nightinggale assassin was believed to have scaled them, murdered the head Elven diplomat, and escaped. Nearly setting the two countries to war. The head Elven diplomat had been the cousin to one of the Fifth Ring Members. 

 The Eleven court was set up into five rings. The first ring the most numerous in members- forty of them. Each member was a noble from the different Elven houses. The second consisted of twenty-seven. The third nineteen. The fourth, twelve. The last and most powerful, the fifth ring, consisted of nine. These rings ran the whole country. 

 Sydnei gaped at the thickness of the walls. Jack rolled his eyes, as Sean had told him, who had once been part of the town guard, the walls were hollow and supported by a wooden framework. They housed tunnels for patrolling guards and acted as storage in case the city was ever under siege.  

 The tunnel opened to a large cobblestone street. Four-story buildings were crowded together. They were constructed of honey-hued brown bricks and thatched single-way slanted roofs. Their faces, lit windows and worn doors were smiling against the streets. Heavy ropes were draped between the buildings, in a zigzag pattern. Banners of Ebnight and Elsh hung proudly from those ropes. Other buildings that were squatter and made of richer earth-toned bricks, had creaking signs and wares to sell. Outside such buildings were stalls with the older of the store owner’s children shouting deals and prices. There were bakeries, butchers, inns, blacksmiths, and tailors. The streets were filled with the aroma of food, which was offset by the scent of sludge that was thrown out behind buildings. At night when the streets were smokey with cooking meats and torches, homeless dogs and pigs would waddle through the streets looking for either a mate or dropped food. 

 Sean whistled at a stable boy, who was leaning against the support post of the stable loft. The boy jumped, and scrambled over, while avoiding muddy puddles. 

 “Yes, sir?” Panted the scrawny stable boy. 

 “Take our horses to the stable. Here’s our papers.” Slurred Sean, as he dismounted and shoved a folder into the boy's arms. Jack and Sydnei dismounted.. As they did so, the crowd parted. Sean groaned. “You gotta be kidding me…”

  Two Rift Hunters marched forward, with an air of importance and swelling charisma. Their clothing and garb was crisp and clean. They’re boots polished. Their emblem emblazed tunic wasn't faded or torn. On the other hand, Jack and Sean were disgusting. Their tunics were torn and filthy. The soaring green hawk emblem was faded, till the point that is almost impossible to distinguish. 

 “Well, isn’t it Sean and Jack.” Mused the taller older one as he clapped his hands together, and smirked.

 “Y'all are a bit late. Denis and I are going to have to escort you two too Clara, in Sun Square. Won’t that be embarrassing?” Laughed the younger one as he smirked at Jack. “You seem to be missing your little sister… what was her name again..? Sarah? Sairahbell?”

 “You can cut that out now, Trevor.” Snarled Jack, as he clenched his fists. 

 “What’s wrong? Did she become Nameless chow? Or wait, was it bait? Looks like she got replaced by this side girl.” Teased Trevor, as he tapped the gold pendant of a soaring hawk on his tunic; flaunting the fact that he had become a full-fledged Hunter. 

 “Glad you got that Pendant!” Shouted Jack, as he hurled a punch at the other Hunter. Sydnei screamed. Trevor collapsed into a muddy puddle, blood leaking from his nose. 

 “What the fuck! To the Rift with you!” Screamed Trevor, as he scrambled to avoid another punch. He unsheathed his dagger. Jack lunged in again, and stopped. The point of the blade was pressed against the soft flesh of his belly. “I’ll gut you like a fish.”

 A small crowd formed. Drunken men stumbled from out of the nearby bar, and raised their glasses, cheering and making bets. Women genty urged their dirty scrawny children away from the scene. City guards watched, and all but trend a blind eye. Jack and Trevor were Nameless Hunters, they answered to the Elves to whom they were incarcerated too.  

 “Clara will have you made dead.” Growled Jack through gritted teeth, as he remained still.

 Mud and water dripping from his hair, Trevor smirked, “No, not if I kill you.” 

Trevor pressed the dagger into Jack’s stomach, “Move Jack Daymon.”

 Jack tensed and clenched his jaw, “You kill me, Clara will punish you. Like you, I am a source of income for her. She needs us to go into th eRift, so that her dainty hands won't get dirty.”

Trvor actually laughed, and blood ran from his nose and into his mouth, “I'm sure Clara can buy another bitch. How much did you sell for? Four copper revvents?” 

Jack pulled his arm back to swing another punch; Sydnei cried out, and grabbed Jack’s arm, tugging him away. 

 “Trevor, Jack, y’all can continue these friendly conversations after we escort them to Clara. She is quite impatient, I don’t want to get thrown under her fire.” Smuggly smiled, Denis. He started walking towards the Sun Square and Jack followed.

 “Ja-ck?” Softy whimpered, Sydnei. Sean whispered something in her ear. And she hesitantly nodded. 

 Sean followed Denis.