We only traveled for a brief time until the surrounding scenery changed from a barren desert to a shaded deciduous forest. As we made our way on a narrow path through the trees, I rode slower than I had in the morning. Instead of racing along, I let the horse relax into a slow trot. Everything smelled so green, which I wasn't used to. Birds fluttered from tree to tree, chirping and chattering away, and I could hear the rustling of the underbrush as tiny animals scurried about. There were so many sounds, and it hit me this environment was much more alive than the desert. 

There was some life among the sands, but it wasn't abundant like it was here. The unhurried pace enabled me to take in the forest in its entirety.

I'm such a pushover. I've only slowed down because I feel guilty about bringing Vanessa home.

The closer we got to the city, the tighter she held onto me, and even though it bothered me earlier, I found that I didn't mind her arms around my torso now.

Shouldn't I hate this?

I couldn't remember how I was in the past, but since waking up in the desert, I found that I disliked getting close to others — mentally or physically. Why didn't that apply to Vanessa, too?

The noble clung onto me for dear life as a guard tower appeared over the treetops, followed by massive stone walls surrounding the city. Within minutes, the foreboding gates of Selas emerged from the forest. We had arrived, and it was still early in the afternoon, as I had predicted. 

"We're here," I announced while stopping the horse, feeling her hiding her face in the black folds of my cloak, "You should do the talking. I doubt they would let me in without seeing you first." 

In time, her grip on me lessened, and she sat back into the saddle. I turned around but almost wished I hadn't. 

She looks miserable. I can't do anything about it, though. This is where she belongs. There's nowhere else for her to go.

My lavender eyes watched her for a short while before I turned back around and roused the horse to a trot again. As we approached the gate, the guards found me suspicious the moment they saw me. I couldn't blame them.

Yes, I know a foreign man dressed in all black is the definition of suspicious.

"Stop! Who are you? State your business! We aren't letting anyone in or out of Selas until we find Lord Van Doren's daughter." a guard huffed, stepping forward. 

From behind me, she popped into view and addressed the guards.

"I-I'm here. I'm Lady Vanessa. Some bandits kidnapped me, but this man fought them back. We're weary from our travel, so please let us pass." she spoke, trying to act confident. 

For a noble, she's timid.

"My Lady!" the guard gasped, "I didn't recognize you in those clothes! Go forth to your father — he has been searching everywhere for you. We're glad to see you back unharmed!"

Suddenly, I felt the beginnings of protectiveness towards Vanessa bubbling up within me, but I killed the feeling at its roots. I didn't have time for bonding — I had to find out who the hell I was first.

"Thank you. We'll be on our way as soon as you open the gate," she replied, her voice sweet compared to the man's rough, unpleasant tone. Heavy stone doors opened to reveal a cast iron grate, and we waited for the guards to heave it open.

They sure don't like the thought of being attacked — they've armed this place to a ridiculous degree.

The second the gate was open, a mass of people poured out of the entrance to Selas, all traveling with haste. Among them, there were many from the Viscera clan. I clenched the reins tighter at the sight of them. 

This wasn't an unusual reaction to the Viscerians. All of Esoterra universally regarded them as the least trustworthy of all the clans. These people were tricksters to anyone but their own kind, often setting up cons as elaborate and colorful as their clothing. With their tanned skin and red eyes, they were easy to pick out from a crowd.

The people of the Viscera clan were migratory, moving from city to city in their caravan communities. When they arrived at a town suiting their tastes, they set up small settlements around the outskirts. I hadn't seen any while approaching Selas; it must have been because Lord Van Doren trapped everyone inside the city walls. 

The rest of the crowd reacted in the same way I had. They kept their distance, eyeing the Viscerians with suspicion. I wasn't sure if my impressions of them were the truth, but it would be better to err on the side of caution.

I hate cities.

"Superstitious freaks, always bringing their witchcraft about. I can't believe Lord Van Doren lets them run free through the city. They're nothing but a menace to society! Only yesterday, they fooled my sister into some stupid reading of cards. While they distracted her, they picked her pocket! What filth," I heard one guard say to another without bothering to keep his voice down. Two or three Viscerians gave him piercing glares, but it appeared as if most of them were used to verbal abuse.

Eventually, the flood of people dwindled to a couple of stragglers here and there, and we made it inside without too much trouble. A few merchants passed us on the main cobblestone road while we headed toward the central marketplace. They were all excited to get out of Selas and peddle their wares to other cities in the Umbra region. 

I've only been here for a few minutes, and I already want to leave. It's too crowded and loud as hell.

The main street was wide enough for two-way traffic of carriages plus pedestrians on the side. I was surprised to see the road nicely paved, with no cracks or potholes. As we rode further into the city, I noticed everything was kept pristine— from the perfect, uniform tiles on the rooves to the admittedly idyllic displays of flowers and fountains surrounding the walkways. This was an affluent town, and they wanted visitors to know it.

"Selas looks… Nice." I told Vanessa with faked enthusiasm, trying to keep her spirits up, "Everything looks clean and the infrastructure appears well maintained."

I heard her sigh before replying, "That's all my father's work. If the city isn't exactly how he wants it to be, heads roll— literally. Nothing matters more to him than appearances." 

As I was about to respond, a middle-aged woman approached us on the edge of the market, peering at Vanessa with curiosity. When she recognized the noble, a bright smile appeared on her face.

"Lady Vanessa! It's you! You've come home safe, thank the gods! Bless you, child!" she exclaimed, drawing the attention of the other citizens nearby. Before I could do anything to stop her, the woman yelled, "Lady Vanessa has come home! She's here!"

With that announcement, almost everyone in the market square rushed to see us. They surrounded the two of us, curious to see if the woman's proclamation had been true. 

Ugh. I hate crowds.