Vyral

Chapter 4 - Apperton, The City of Craftsmanship

--------------------------------
GATES OF APPERTON
19:48
--------------------------------

They arrive at the gates. Robust wood, adorned with an iron trim all around the borders of the large doors. There are wooden beams outlining the walls, seemingly around the entirety of its perimeter. Kohen wonders how they were put in place, considering how heavy they must be.
The roars of society from within the city echo far beyond the walls, livening the abandoned wooden shacks and fences, coupled with barren fields of sand and dirt that surround the Colony.

Nali: "HOME SWEET HOME!! ABOUT DAMN TIME I CAME BACK!!!"

Myra: "We're finally here!! I can rest my legs and read a book, at last!!" She smiles with a short exhale, cute.

Lily: "You think there's time to read?

Instant frown.
Myra: "Well... Shouldn't we rest before going to Zamaton? We did just walk for an entire day." She slumps. Orton hugs her by the shoulders as he walks by.
Orton: "You'll have time to read eventually, I have some book suggestions for you."

Myra's eyes glimmer, followed by a scoffed smile.
"Thank you Orton. I really appreciate that." Arm around his waist. "They better be good books, or I'm having a duel with you."
Orton: "Is that so?" He teases. "What type of duel do you mean?"

Myra's head taps against his shoulder. Eye contact.
"You'll see.."

They both smirk.

Lily walks ahead of her friends, stuck inside her own bubble of thoughts, alongside Myrellie, who the guards recognize immediately.

Guard 1: "M-Miss Myrellie!? What a surprise!"
Myrellie: "Hello Jarred, how has everyone been?"
Guard Jarred: "Fantastic m'lady!! Ever since your help a few years ago, Apperton hasn't thrived as much as it currently is!! We owe it all to you and Warden Abigail."
Myrellie: "I'm pleased to hear that! I'd love to stay and chat, but I must take care of business with her. Would you allow me and my team passage?"
Guard Jarred: "YES MA'AM!! OPEN THE GATES AT ONCE!!" He commands after turning around. Three gate operators on each side push the copper handles connected to the colossal wooden winches that tightly keep the door shut. Several locks have to be winded in order to finally enter the city of craftsmanship, Apperton.

Nali approaches alongside Kohen.
Kohen: "I never knew you were the one who helped Apperton mom. Was it one of those secret missions of yours?"
Myrellie: "Indeed. I never really talk about them do I?"
Kohen: "Nope. -.-" He states. "I just take guesses depending on what you take and what you're wearing."
Myrellie: "Y-You notice how I dress?" She blushes. "Never tell a lady something like that Kohen!! You idiot."
Kohen: "HUH!? What's wrong with that!?"

Lily: "It's rude and indecent. A lady wants to be noticed, but never called out on her appearance."

As Kohen is about to bark back like usual, he stops himself, staring at Lily in thought instead.
Exhale, followed by scratches to the back of his head.

Kohen: "Yeah.. I suppose you're right.."
Slight chuckle, eyes closed.

Lily notices this.

Myrellie: "To answer your question earlier Kohen, let's just say I used a bit of my influence and manpower to clear out the area around Apperton. For expansion purposes."
Kohen: "You did what? 'Cleared out' an area?"
Myrellie: "That's right. Remember the forest we were crossing?"
Kohen: "No freaking way!"
Myrellie: "Yes freaking way!" She smirks. "The barren land you've seen from that point, even some of the territory further into Apperton, has all been utilized thanks to my doings." Kohen's jaw drops. "Of course, if I could preserve more of it I would. But the Colony was facing a severe material crisis, and couldn't conjure up any type of defensive force on top of that.
No teams to scavenge, no food coming in, no houses being built, nothing. It was bound to perish.

So after taking them down, we replanted every single tree and refilled their storage, we helped out in making houses for every citizen. Despite affecting us directly, the necessary manpower was provided, and everything stabilized. They needed more wood recently, that's what this smell in the air is."

Kohen: "ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? They already cut another batch of trees down?!!"
Myrellie: "Seems like it!" She smiles. "Hmpf! You underestimate the experience I have in this world Kohen!"