Of The Line Of Estelondo: Percival's Tale.

Chapter Seven: On The Skybridge

Percival and Faramaurea arrived three days later at Le Elyanme after an uneventful journey. They had cut cross-country to their destination, and in this way had avoided encountering any soldiers of Meneltarma, along the way.

To reach the City of the Skybridge, you had to first climb up the mountain trails, that in turn​ let to a small wooden bridge, which crossed over the gap between the mainland, and the semi-aquatic stone tower it was sitting on.

Percival and Faramaurea stood​ across the bridge from the citadel, observing their surroundings, and staring in wonder at the city before then. "Did you know," Percival asked Faramaurea, "that once the skies around this location were a florescent green, crackling with pure energy and radioactivity? They were, until our Grandfather, pulled it all down with some of his soldier's help."

Faramaurea smirked, and answered, "Yes, I was, and am. Grandfather told me the same stories that he taught you. Just as he told both of us how he single handedly destroyed the bridge that the city was named for." She thought for a moment, before continuing: "I do not think he exaggerated in his story much, Percival. He certainly was not exaggerating when he talked about the lack of life around here." She wrapped her brown and green cloak more tightly around herself, immediately prior to concluding, quietly, and aside to herself: "It feels so cold and desolate here."

Percival took her hand, and smiled empathetically, unsure how to comfort her. She may not like it, but I have to keep her safe, at all costs.

Still, the thought troubled him, because he loved his siblings, and wanted them all to be happy. That thought made him wonder where Metimafoa and Orónëminya were, and how they were doing.

Little did he know, that on the other side of the Land, Orónëminya was bleeding out, while Metimafoa did his absolute best to save her.

Dismounting from their horses, because the bridge could not support the weight, they crossed the wooden bridge, one person and horse at a time, with Percival going first to test the weight of the bridge's support.

When both of them had reached the other side, they stood before the two black stone gates, that barred their entry. The halfling sentry had seen their approach, and stated: "We don't get many visitors this far north." Staring at them curiously, he asked, "What business, do two teenage elves, have in the Skybridge?"

Percival glanced at Faramaurea slightly panicked, so instead she answered: "We lived on a small sheep, and grain farm, just West of Helkaluksor. Three weeks ago, a Red Dragon left the Radiation Fields, and destroyed our home on the way." She looked down at her feet, as though she was trying not to cry, but really she was just ashamed by the lie she was telling. "Luckily, we were off at the market at the time of the attack, but we returned home to a complete destruction of everything we owned, except that which we had on us. After deciding that we could not stay there, we traveled North, looking for room and work, but we were turned away everywhere, ending up here." Collapsing to her knees for dramatic effect, she allowed a few fake tears to slip out, before concluding, "You are our last hope."

The sentry signalled for the gate to be opened, and said. "Room we have, but work may be harder to come by. Meet me in the square in one hour. I'll see what I can find."

With that, he gestured them in, and they looked upon the Stone City in the Sky.

Inside of the wall, was the castle, if they continued straight, with the market and square in its center courtyard. The castle was oval in shape, with tall blue stone brick walls, that were split in half. In the first half, lied the courtyard, while the other half was was walled off, symbolising the fortress, and the throne room.

Outside of that, village style houses were sporadically placed. The streets bustled, but not too excessively, because after the war, many people had left, having no homes to stay for. During the war, the population of Le Elyanme had been over 500,000, but now there were less than 500 remaining.