The Raven Lord | Book I

VII. The Gated City

It was unlike anything I had ever seen before. 

After flying for half an hour, smooth grey rock jutted upwards, forming a mountain range that stretched as far as the eye could see. Veins of silver stone ran through in webbed patterns, suggesting that this mountain was once mined for its resources. Lex's shadow fluttered across the mountainside as we soared upwards on his shadow wings.

"It's just ahead," Lex said, his gaze fixed on the peak of the mountain. I simply clutched the goblet tighter and waited. 

Instead of reaching the peak, the mountain broke off into sheets of jagged stone that curved inwards like a dome. A gasp escaped my lips as I beheld what came next: the mountain was completely hallow, and inside of it, lay a bustling city.

"What is this place?" I asked, my voice barely audible over the wind. 

"Welcome to Aurus, little dove." Lex smirked, a sense of pride showing in his eyes. 

The city was... Beautiful suddenly seemed too simple of a word to describe it. Houses were built into the sides of the cliffs, winding roads connecting them to the city below. Aurus stretched so far that I could hardly see the end of it, even from the vantage point that being so high up gave me. To the east, the mountainside that created the wall around the city was almost completely gone. This allowed access to the sea, where large ships were docked at port. Rivers flowed throughout the city and at some parts, boats were being used as means of transportation.

Although the city was magnificent, it was nothing compared to the ebony castle carefully placed in the center of Aurus. It sat several hundred yards above the city below, its highest tower creating the peak of what would have been the rest of the mountain. It's black stone glimmered in the early sun, making it appear both welcoming and threatening. I yearned to explore those halls, to see how they lived here.

"My house is just down there." Lex pointed to a stately marble home nestled high above the city into the cliff side. It spanned a good portion of the Western wall. I could imagine the view of the ocean that he had from there. 

"Some home," I said, if only to mask my awe. Lex chuckled deeply before diving for the balcony far below. 

We landed as the sun hit the marbled deck, two thumps behind us telling me that Saskia and Ciel had landed as well. Lex put me down just as a portly middle-aged woman appeared on the balcony. 

"My Lord! You have returned home!" The woman made her way toward Lex, curtsying deeply. "I apologize for not having any rooms ready, we did not expect you!"

"That's quite all right, Nethel." Lex smiled warmly and placed a firm hand on the woman's shoulder. "This is Kaira. She's to stay with us for a while." He stepped aside, so as to funnel her towards me. 

"Hello, dear!" Nethel turned to me, her rosy cheeks gleaming in the sun. "I will have your room ready in no time." 

I nodded and gave a small smile, murmuring a relieved thanks. To my left, Ash groaned, still being held upright by Ciel and Saskia. 

"I must go now, I'm taking Ash to see Noctia." Lex strode over to Ash and gripped his shoulder firmly. He turned to me, saying, "Make yourself at home." Then he, Ash and the goblet disappeared in a cloud of smoke. 

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Lex's home at Aurus was nothing like the one I had stayed in only hours before. 

Where the fortress in the sky that he brought me to yesterday was elegant and cold, this house was bright and open. It was still made for luxury, but it offered a sense of home: like it had a history of lives lived within it.