The next morning they woke and made ready to enter the city. They approached it along the coastline. Keirian looked at the city of High Culen, the great port, and thought of Culilonia. Culilonia faced the sea with one giant port, spanning the entire width of the city. High Culen was different. Its coastline was made of many smaller ports, and separated by many outcroppings of rock. It was like the city had many different windows looking out to the sea. It seemed to Keirian to be an amazing place.
They entered the city with no one to challenge them. They walked through the bottom streets. It was busy and bustling down by the waterfront. Fishing boats were coming in, and others were going out to sea. The buildings were made of stone from the hills of Brannock around them. It looked like an ancient city, much more ancient then any of the cities they had been to so far. It seemed to them that it was also a strong city. Strong yet humble; as though the strength was underlining and not always willingly revealed. Now that they were in the city, they weren't sure what to do. So far the guards had taken them straight to the lords of the city themselves. But no guards had met them on the road they took. They had to find the lord of High Culen themselves.
Before they attempted this they decided to first find a place to stay, to leave their packs and rest their feet. They found an inn not far from the coast. There was plenty of vacancy for them, and they took one room each, since both Bale and Nessa had plenty of money, being from ruling families.
They decided to try some of the local cuisine for lunch. After they had put their packs in their rooms they went down to the waterfront and found a seaside restaurant. The food was delicious. Carson of course was used to seafood, and Keirian had become quite accustomed to it as well. But to the others, especially Sanchen, it was something new. Yet even Carson had to admit that the fish and shrimp here was exceptional.
"Well," he said as their meal came to a close, "What do we do now?"
"The Hall of the Kings is up on that hill over there," Bale pointed towards a small hill in the center of the city. On top sat a brilliant castle looking down on the city below.
"So should we just go knock?" Sanchen asked.
"Why not?" Keirian shrugged.
And so they did. They made their way to the central hill which held the great hall. They came to the king's stairway which led up the hill. It was surprisingly full of people coming and going from the hill. Now that there was no more royal family, and the Hall was used by the lord and his council, it was much more open to the public. They came to the marble framed doors and approached the guards standing next to it.
"We wish to speak with the lord of your city," Bale announced, "I am the son of Lord Boris in Exeteri and also with us is Lady Nessa, daughter of Lord Koro of Quinta."
The positions of their two newest travelers were certainly an asset for them. They were allowed access to see the lord in his chamber in the great hall.
"Welcome, I am Lord Darelion," the lord greeted them. He looked a couple years younger then the other city lords. He seemed to be more in shape, more battle worthy if things ever were to come to that. He looked like a leader anyone would want.
They all thanked him and bowed and introduced themselves and their homelands.
"Now, I must ask," he continued, "What is such company from so many different cities doing here in High Culen?"
"We are taking upon a great journey," Carson began, as this seemed to be his area to explain everywhere they went by now, "In fact the greatest journey in the history of our lands. It is the journey prophesied many years ago. When we will leave our bordered lands and bring tidings of the outer world. We come seeking a companion."
