Birthright: The Contested Seat

Lyra

Lyra's journey to Zontarya, the Warden's seat in the Enchanted Cities, had proven to be quite enjoyable. They had faced very little trouble on the road, though she attributed this to the small squadron of Etheri that her father insisted she take along with her for protection. They had been accommodating and willing to serve her, despite their station. She had insisted that she could take care of herself, but they were all too eager to serve their princess. 

As the carriage tumbled into the city, Lyra peered out of her window. The city of Zontarya was quite enchanting, where magic and mystery were woven into its very fabric. The city was a bastion of Torrish tradition, keeping the ancient ways in their architecture. The streets themselves were alive with magic, the very stones beneath one's feet imbued with ancient spells and enchantments. The buildings that lined the streets were no less magical, with runes etched into their walls and complex wards protecting their inhabitants from harm. Though no area was as heavily warded as the College of Enchanting.

Those Etheri who wished to become enchanters attended the College of Enchanting in Zontarya. The college was a sprawling complex of buildings, each one dedicated to a different aspect of enchantment. The Etheri who came to study there were a diverse group, each one seeking to master the discipline in its entirety.

There were three other colleges in Torren. The College of Natural Magic for those Etheri seeking to become Druids, the College of Alchemy for those seeking to become Alchemists, and the College of Combative Magic for those seeking to become soldiers. 

Of course, every college taught the disciplines of the other, but only the college's primary discipline would be taught to full mastery.

Passing the college, there were shops and stalls that catered to the needs of the magical denizens of Zontarya. There were apothecaries selling potions and elixirs, blacksmiths forging weapons and armor, and libraries filled with ancient tomes. The Inferi, unable to wield magic, were often assigned to run these businesses themselves while others were assigned to be servants, their mundane skills valued in a city where magic was so prevalent.

Though the city held many beautiful structures, it was the Warden's castle that truly stood out, a fortress of stone and magic that dominated the skyline. It was a formidable structure, with towers that stretched towards the heavens and walls that seemed impenetrable. The castle was a testament to the Warden's power and authority, a place where justice was meted out and the law was enforced. Its walls were lined with guards, their eyes sharp and their tempium gems fully charged.  

The courtyard lay before her, the walls high and imposing, made of thick grey stone that seemed to stretch up to the sky. Ivy crept up the walls, softening their harsh edges with a delicate green lace. 

In the center of the courtyard stood a fountain, its waters sparkling in the sunlight that filtered down from the sky above. The fountain was carved from white marble and depicted a group of mermaids with long flowing hair, their tails intertwined as they played their instruments. The sound of the water splashing into the pool beneath was soothing and rhythmic, a contrast to the nerves that gripped her. 

A pair of peacocks strutted across the courtyard, their iridescent feathers shimmering in the light. They seemed to be as much a part of the castle as the stone walls themselves, their presence adding an air of regality to the already grand space.

As Lyra stepped out of the carriage, the servants who had been waiting by the fountain bowed deeply. They were dressed in livery that spoke of their station. The garments were made of coarse wool and linen, dyed in the colors of the Enchanted Cities: purple and silver.

The men wore simple tunics that fell to their knees, cinched at the waist with a leather belt. Their sleeves were short, revealing muscular arms that had grown strong from years of hard labor. On their feet, they wore leather boots that had been polished to a high sheen, the laces tied into neat bows.