Under the Cover of Darkness

Chapter 20 - Tension

With Huey missing for months after his escape from the hospital in the middle ring and Kristie busy searching the Great Expand for signs of his trail, Alric was stretched thin when the time came for Princess Isada's trip to Set. Three members of the Company still waiting for jobs from Alric, the Great Champion was forced to play his hand with as many members as he could fully trust. In turn, he called upon Fitch and Haley for their first major mission together, leaving Bryce on backup call in case any domestic issues occur in the city.

To this, Bryce was quick to respond, "So you're letting the lovebirds run off to some foreign kingdom with your queen, and I'm stuck being the guard dog of your prized capital?"

"Yes, it's not me disrespecting your abilities as a member because I'm saying that you're as capable as those two together. Besides, it's partially why I'm sending my best guard, to make sure that those two behave. It'll be good practice for them as well," Alric argued back.

The demon saw right through the facade though. Their was a slight animosity between the two, but Alric was aware that in order to get rid of the untrustworthy demon, he would have to get rid of Fitch; however, the Great Champion had deemed the Ghost of Silver Forest too important. As a result, he continued to mask his true feelings for the sarcastic, laid back demon until the time was right to get rid of him.

Princess Isada sat comfortably in the back of her carriage, which four horses pulled with their sturdy builds. Immediately Surrounding the four-wheeled cart were a  dozen horseman equipped in full body armor, Ardorian standards whipping back and forth in the slight breeze of the Great Expand at the end of fifteen foot poles. Then, four rows of two horsemen accompanied the party on the front and back end to add extra support in the case of ambush along their trek across dirt roads.

Fitch was disappointed to find out that he wasn't allowed to take Malum with him since he would be riding in the shade of the cart's canvas along with Haley and the Princess while Captain Duregio drove the carriage himself. The Ghost of Silver Forest was saddened by the lack of adventures he got to take his horse on, but Malum appeared ecstatic when she approached the luxurious, royal stables of the palace again, awaiting the exceptional treatment the stable boys provided. Still, he was disappointed, especially after Alric revealed that Fitch and Haley would be posing as the princess's servants. In turn, they were to be dressed in the traditional garments worn of Ardorian servants in the palace, garments that were received harshly by both.

As they crossed the Great Expand and entered the mountains home to the kingdom of Set, the only thing on Fitch's mind was dressing back into his normal clothing and hiding in the shroud of his molted cloak that he stuffed into his satchel. Constantly, Haley would poke fun at the leather bag, which had seen its fare share of action, evident by its weathered exterior, for being a purse, much to Fitch's annoyance.

"My Queen, we are approaching Magic City," Captain Duregio called as the carriage traversed the last mountain summit leading to the only gate that allowed excess into the city.

Due to the Grand Council of Elder Wizard's bans on magics, the council had set up an extensive security at the walled city's only gate where those coming in and leaving were searched for illegal substances. The large gate was approximately fifty yards long and fifty feet high, a height that nearly matched the walls, shadowing the residents in the dreary capital, reminding them of the watchful eye of the Grand Council on the black market. Also, the entire city was surrounded by this same rectangular wall that stood atop the solid ground, circumventing a deep lake.

Magic City partially got its name from the earliest founders of the city who moved their city from around to on top of the body of water. In turn, the rectangular rigidity of the border walls juxtaposed the circular border of the rest of the city, while the lake provided a deep boundary between the walls and the inner city, successfully facilitating the flow of travelers to the front gate of the city by ways of a heavily fortified and guarded, steel and granite bridge. Inside the walls and across the moat was a town that appeared sturdy. The roads were paved with granite while most of the shops were built using stone and wood that were mined and cut from the valley's surrounding mountains. Other buildings, such as Dalart's palace and the headquarters for the Grand Council of Elder Wizards, were located on isolated islands scattered throughout the city that were only reachable by means of connective bridges. In turn, when the Ardorian escort approached the front gate of the city, some were surprised to find the city floating on top of the lake.