Belford's Heart

Chapter 4: Stratos

The sun swept over the lowland plains of Avalonia as Belford and Evelyn rode from their camp at dawn. This was the first time Belford had been apart from his mountains, and he was not yet sure how much he liked it. The sun's power was much greater in the lands below. Belford hated the feeling of it against his skin. It felt like ten thousand needles burrowing their way into his body. He was numbed from them quickly, however, once his eyes caught their first glimpse of the plains. As far as he could look, he could see an endless expanse if greens, oranges and reds.

They kept Grimbo and Thunderfoot even as they rode East in hopes of finding a lowland town. Every so often, Evelyn would ride behind Belford to allow for a traveler's cart to pass by. Belford received many stares as they continued. He didn't mind them much and made effort to focus on the beautiful scenery surrounding them. A town was sure to appear eventually.

The warm air of the lowlands felt strange to him, but Evelyn was thankful to not be shivering in her gown any longer. She too was excited to find somewhere to fit herself with new clothes. She hated looking like a helpless maiden. As the city of Stratos came into view over the hills, she couldn't hide her excitement. It was one of the cities named to the fallen people of High Avalonia. In writing, it was said that Stratos was one of six cities that flew high above clouds and away from those unfit to reach them. The All-Knower always told Belford that these were mere stories. Still, both he and Evelyn found themselves in an infinite stare. The shining hills of red glassblossom flowers made the city shine in crimson. They felt as if they were looking at a painting instead of an awaiting city.

"Look at the size of it!" Evelyn's eyes became wide with excitement. "It's beautiful!"

"I didn't think we would find anything so soon." Belford looked down to Evelyn who had already become well acquainted with Grimbo. "What should we do first?"

"We're not letting ten minutes pass by before getting me some new clothes." Evelyn smiled. "How many people do you think live within those walls?"

Belford looked back to Stratos and pondered her question. Forty-five Aukan lived in his village, and the city looked a fair bit larger than that. "I'd say at least a hundred."

Evelyn laughed. "I think you're right, big guy. Let's go see how close you got."

She called for Grimbo to canter ahead of Thunderfoot. Belford followed quickly, and the two made way to the city of Stratos as fast as the hooves beneath them would allow. The warm air ran over them like a river, cooling the sweat covered face of Belford as his body was being battered by the intense sun of the lowlands. The walls of Stratos soon stood before them. A structure that looked to be as tall as the peaks Belford once called home. He could not hide the wonder that painted itself over his face along with his markings. Somewhere within the city stood a tower that appeared to reach the clouds. Through the archway that granted access into the city they could already see the rampant energy that was the city streets. Belford had never seen so many people in one place before. There was a large stable beside the archway where Thunderfoot and Grimbo would have to wait for them to return. The man working the stable shook in his place as a Goliath handed him the two silver coins for a day's holding of the horses. The city of Stratos held open its welcoming arms and hypnotizing energy.

"What do you think, big guy? Would you say that there's a hundred of them in there?"

"Very funny." Belford smiled and shook his head. He leaned his head forward and held out his hand before Evelyn. "Lead the way."

Evelyn sprang in front of him and skipped toward the crowd. The street was lined with merchant stalls and shops without a single inch of wasted space between them. There was a smell all throughout the street of waste and rotting food. Far worse than any of the stables in the peaks of Hindren. Belford glanced to his right for a moment to see a man dancing with a fireball in his hands. The All-Knower always told him that magic was something men created as a farce to scare creatures that were more powerful than them. There was always a trick behind a man's magic, and likely a flurry of coins and praise to follow it. The lands below were quite silly indeed.