Blighted Edge

Chapter 4. Magic and Men

The two arrived at a large gate guarded against all around. Walls built high and wide reached out around the entirety of the city enveloping it to safely protect it. Thick stone walls which had archers mounted at the very top of it who kept a precise eye out and some even watching the two. Guards approached the man in armor, and the maiden-looking woman.

"Halt! State your name and business Knave!" A typical guard who looked like anyone average. They stood there, with gates open just beyond them a few feet beyond them which Vivex and Riel saw. He stood just in front of them with another knight laughing to the side. His face creased, and his mouth gaped open as he started to bellow with laughter. The one who spoke to the two then turned and raised an eyebrow- a sign of confusion coming over his face. "You had told me to say that!" in anger he stormed back into the city with his weapon in hand clenched tight. Vivex turns toward the knight who had been laughing.

"He's a rookie, surely you can understand a little fun, he will get over it," he said. "It is free entry during the day, feel free to walk in, just be sure to stay out of trouble"

Riel nods and rushes forward heading into the city. Vivex followed behind and various sights would be easily seen from the street which Riel was vastly intrigued by. Different races, buildings, music, and scents, all flooded the streets in swarmed Riel who was having the time of her life. The bustling city would tower above her casting a shadow down on the street from this particular entrance. She would be overwhelmed by the sights having to look up as people would slide by her or walk past. She could hear jaunty music from a nearby tavern, and the bubbling from a cauldron in which an alchemist or witch- had been brewing with a nifty sign. Each of them had names, signs, a theme and the majority of these people were human. Not all but most.

This was more than she could ever ask for as she skipped through the streets with glee, a smile from ear to ear was shown on her pale face, supple skin would gleam in the small lights of sun that would shine down upon her. She headed towards the sound which lured her in, music. A jaunty tune played with a few instruments, a stringed instrument, with a deep tone from a sort of drum, and lastly a lighter pitch with a flute of sorts. Her head peeked over a window with curiosity, to look in. The tavern was filled with men and women, a bartender behind the counter and a small wooden stage to the far right in the back where players stood. They would tap their feet and play the instruments while the tones filled the air, drinks raised, and smiles on people's faces, while others were delighted to partake in a small song. Boots tapped against the ground as some rose, she leaned in more. Listening to the song which had been playing from the group she almost felt inclined to join in.

There were many other things to partake in, and many of them were waiting around to be discovered. The man slowly came up behind her in his clad armor which clattered amidst the sounds of the music and more, and he caught an aroma of food as he peered in alongside the girl. "Hrmm...never was a fan of jaunty stuff..."

"Why not sir Vivex?" She asked before turning back to him. Her eyes gazed at him deeply, and for a moment he too gazed back.

"It only shows me that life has more to it" he spoke blatantly. A sour attitude or something else in mind for the man, but Riel couldn't exactly put her finger on it seeing as she thought the man was intriguing. He was knowledgeable about many things and even went as far as to save her and drag her to this town alongside him. He even told her a life story that was beyond any expectation of someone else. She could only wonder why he would say that at all...

She shook her head from the thoughts. Dwelling on anything now would take away from the experience! Or so she thought.

Vivex and Riel took themselves from the scene, she was hoping to come back later when it settled down to try some pie, or maybe something else. She missed out on a lot in her royal life after all.