Everything was moving. Footsteps rumbled to and fro across the streets as groups of soldiers marched up and down the avenues, carriages rumbled down and up the avenues with warriors in tow, and the scent of acrid smoke mixed fervently with the icy wind to create a bittersweet and sharp taste in Akahana's mouth. As she looked around, she was bewildered by the motion and the noise that ran through the city like a clamorous river; always going and never stopping. That same opaque white fog still lingered high above in the air, swirling softly and reaching outward with its ethereal strands, before dissipating entirely. Hidden within the misty veil, Akahana could see those same colossal towers and walls that soared high into the sky, dignified and majestic.
"Woah!" Ryota gazed around in wonder. "This place is awesome!"
Takahiro frowned. "It's a little noisy..." He murmured as he peered around. "What exactly is going on in this place?"
"This is Soldatbolig." Asmund said. "It is where most of our military lives." He waved to a few soldiers as they passed another cart. "Each of these soldiers owns a house in this part of the city, and they live here until their duty is done. When that happens, new soldiers take their place, and continue serving."
"Where do they go?" Ryota asked. "The old soldiers, I mean."
"Usually, they are sent to live in Håndverkerby," Asmund replied, "Although a few may get the chance to secure a residence in Kommersiellby, if they have achieved the highest levels of renown and bravery."
"Are we going to be living here?" Takahiro asked, eyeing the houses with disgust.
"Why? Is it too common for your taste?" Ryota stuck his tongue out, and Takahiro nodded. "Come on, I thought you moved beyond your primitive sophisticated life!"
"I have!" Takahiro said. "I just don't like the look of this place."
Asmund smirked. "Fortunately for you, this won't where you'll be living. These lodgings are only for soldiers."
"Us Vikings have a headquarter right up there." Kanin pointed towards the inclining street. "And believe me, our lodgings are a lot more suited to your taste." She batted her eyes at Takahiro.
Takahiro sighed with relief. "That's reassuring. So how much further until we reach your base?" He asked.
"Just a few more minutes." Kanin replied. "But take some time to look around before we get there, so you can get accompanied to your surroundings."
"Where is all that mist coming from?" Akahana asked, pointing to the white murk that hovered around.
"Oh, that?" Kanin said. "That mist comes from Niflheim."
"But how?" Akahana cocked her head to the side.
"Niflheim is built on top of a wellspring of pure ice," Asmund explained. "Pure ice generates an excessive amount of vapor, and thus, the castle is concealed by the mist."
"Man. That royal family must really hate the sunlight if they've been living there a long time." Ryota remarked sarcastically.
"Believe me, they actually don't." Kanin said. "The castle's obscurity is mainly for protection of the royal family, as they don't want to be too close to the ground if something bad happens."
"Like a war?" Ryota suggested.
Kanin snapped her fingers. "Exactly. A war, like this one. But don't get the wrong idea. They're not hiding away from the fighting. They send a representative down here to communicate and plan with us."
"Who might that be?" Akahana asked.
"Prince Bjorn." Asmund said. "The son of the current king. He's our main tactician, and an excellent one at that."
YOU ARE READING
Blackbeard; The Legend
Fanfiction(Paused at the moment; will get back to writing after break!) The tale of the great pirate Blackbeard has been told throughout the Seven Seas. But what of her origins, her humble beginnings? Once, she was Akahana, daughter the daimyo Isamu, and ap...
