Night descended upon the silhouetted grouping of adventurers, what felt like hours passed, alone, in near silence. Al had been trying to decipher one of the witch’s books, although after a while, Argj finally spoke, informing the boy that the book was indeed upside down. All iron was eventually sharpened and polished, clothes were righted, stories were spun, until a thumping came bounding at their door, all on the eve of midnight. Warriors gripped their blades in the flickering dark, muscles tensing at the ready, till the barrier flung itself open, timber hammering timber.
“I have returned, unscathed,” Galena said, head held high, Every under the woman’s right arm, hair covering the girl’s expression which stayed downcast and quiet, very unusual.
“The girl is fine, however she seems to not be feeling well, we shall take our leave, till the morning” with that, the two left, rushing, almost panicked, the girl appearing sullen, before another thud signaled the closing of the woman’s door.
“I must speak with them!” growled Argjend, who nearly scared the boy off his seat, Sonne bounded over, seizing the man with locked hands. The older man shook, curiously, cane wavering against the floor.
“No, she has her plans, her dealings, she knows better than the rest of us, even if we might not know it yet” the orc replied, low and smooth, Argjend pulled back, calming a little, as his demeanor was smoothed.
“I apologize, you are right captain, I am truly sorry” he said, as Sonne set him down, “I know, with everything going on, tensions can be high right now, but it is best that we all get some rest, gonna be a long day tomorrow, and it has been long enough already, sleep as much as ye can you two” she finished.
A series of grunts followed the words, Al bounced over to a corner bound cot, rolling in the moth bitten sheets, tainting the land with dirt of his own, tossing in a cave of greased thinned cloth. Fires were doused to smoke, as the room was plunged into darkness, burning fatigue filling the bones and feet of the weary.
Al woke with a start, the door hammering once again, floorboards creaked and moaned, desperately holding firm. A subtle clanking accompanied the readying of bodies, everyone had slept in their clothes, (the warriors at least), making their hurried awakening less so. After some morning rituals, the group was nearly ready, standing tall robes and armors cinched tight, a fog bleeding from their eyes, as the graces of early morning only began to reach them from the sounds of life that flowed on the wind through cracks in the walls.
“Dust yourselves off, make yourselves presentable” the witch commanded, piercing purple orbs studying all, stabbing at them, filled with pure conviction.
“Come we must go” she boomed, Al lifting a finger in protest, a question upon the heart, yet the others shot him down with gazes of their own, best not to pry. Trudging, they padded like royals through the common filth, greeting areas now turned over after a boisterous night, clean and swept, illuminated by dulling green light, streaming through slats and slots, reflecting cleanly off bottles and glasses.
It wasn’t until Al and the rest had reached the road, sword on hip, did he notice the peculiar girl. Sights, sounds, and smells, all very different, Every was not bouncy as per usual, wearing a hood over a neatly patterned dress, which tucked into her slight tunic, modest yet clean.
She walked at the head, shoulder to shoulder with Galena, not uttering a word or a skip, as they sailed through the honey drenched streets without a word, without a prayer, silent, on mission, no nonsense. Winding paths took them higher, all the way back through those brimming gates of iron web. Stomping the way back to the mighty break of wealth and power, which was the dragon handed barrier. Each gate lay marred with guards far different than the last, darker, dimmer, with helmets shaded, even the inner city was barred by one other than Kaylen.
“You may enter now” said Windman, through gruff and grated bonds, he looked over the seal which Galen had bestowed upon the man, before the guard turned, hand on sword, pushing through the gates with a sheer screeching cry. They waltzed, with Galena at the helm, pushing through the massive saucer-like courtyard, over cubes of smooth white stone, past ornately crafted musings capped with centered elegance. Rows of fine emerald greenery, and sculpted lands called them forwards past paths leading to miniature palaces, roaring forth to the monarch’s landing, an aspiring temple to the heavens.
As they neared, glittering arches and fortifications became more apparent, it truly was a castle from the tales of old, a fort fit for the One above. Massive crystalline windows of mystical purpled coloring, paired with white marbled, platinum shimmers, all to catch Al’s eyes, even if he did not wish to marvel. Piles of silvered guardians held their pikes high, flanking on either side, enough warriors to man an army, standing still, stagnant with deepened faces of metal, lion banners waving in the wind.
Darkness was thrust upon them once more, large, blockaded timbers creaked, doors slowly opened, where in true wonders were revealed within. Curling burnished staircases of rich colored wood, banded swirls and twirls capped slated stairs, climbing vast heights, wearing only ornate rugs and the sheen they wielded. Again, the light was pulled from Al’s heart, the practice of facade had grown on him, somehow the boy managed to keep his calm, while their boots sullied the gold trimmed carpet beneath.
Yet more eyes and more blades watched them from the shadows, protectors behind silken manifest of dragons and flame, basking in the shadows of stone clad pillars. Each step upon the enriched land felt like sacrilege, to scuff their marks upon the wondrous construct. Flights of stairs were crawled, leading north then south as they ascended heading forth all the while, past glistening podiums holding human-esque relics, patterned walls hanging paintings, pictures, portals to other worlds, depictions of the great one, and the One above. Galena and her pride passed floor after floor, door after door, banner after banner, it felt like ages, but finally they reached a crescent moon shaped landing, comprised of ornate gold, statues of lions and dragons, shimmering under shiny dangling bits that were lighted by the gaps which soared above.
Before them laid a large door, much like all the ones they had passed, just as ornate, thick, oaked, and just as strong. However, they did not surmount that enemy just yet, as the witch took a heavy stride to the right, tracing a line, following separate strangulated corridors of ribbed and banded walls. Seconds past, they found themselves entering a separate circular alcove, boots skidding across a polished floor that resembled the starry sky itself, mirroring the mural that marched above, more doors enveloped the walls, nearly circling them in.
“Wait here” began Galena, as her and the quiet girl headed into a side mounted chamber, disappearing behind the beautiful door which shut with a crisp click.
Only half an hour or so passed by, no shuffling, no noise to be heard, the lot made themselves busy with thought, and the leaning of walls. Although Al did not partake as he did not wish to intrude, any more than he was already. Moments later, the door swung open, out stepped the witch, followed by a person of a different kind. Galena had shirked her shawl, gesturing to the others as they did the same, clean purples now illustrious and on display. However, the boy’s eyes were struck by the following sight.
Every stepped out of the room, clacking down shortened stairs in clicking heels, dress fluttering out past, a fan of frills and patterns, accentuating the shining thread, spun, and sewn with the utmost care. Her visage was beautiful to say the least, a wondering, dazzling sight, all in pure white fabric which flew every which way. She stepped, a rain of glitter following, as the sparkling spire of silver thorns and twists, blinded out from the top of the girl’s head, illuminating even in the low light of the hallowed chambers.
They all bowed, even the great purple raven herself, well all except Al who was struck at the sheer sight of the girl he had been traveling with, now the princess of humanity. Galena flicked her wrist, the air and heat instantly sapped from the boy’s lungs, legs giving as he fell to his knees, groveling before royalty.
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