Freelands

VI. POPULUS VINCET MAGISTROS

2. Hardrow

Meanwhile, Gere found Vinco at the city's harbour taking care of some matters with the navy. After a small chat they take two horses from the stables and start travelling to Hardrow, in order to visit Rex Serus Magister.

After exiting the gates of the city, they come across the beautiful countryside that surrounds the city. They see the endless lands of grasslands and the meadows filled with all sorts of flowers. They can hear the river of Everflow flowing loudly. Butterflies and bees are all around the plants and the bright warm spring sun hits the two travellers all the duration of their journey.

The horses walk on the paved road, built with white and gray stones.

Passing over Everflow on a beautiful white stone arch bridge, Gere takes a look at the flowing water beneath him. He looks around the countryside excited, as he rarely ever goes outside Hierydor.

After crossing the bridge, Vinco walks right next to Gere's horse and speaks to him.

"Ever been to Mitrem, iudex Gere?" He says with the sun's reflection shining bright on his bald very dark-skinned head.

"Non iudex, dux Vinceto, nonque in Mitre fui." (I'm not a judge, general Vinco, and I have never been to Hardrow)

"I'm suprised you know the ancient, sir Gere! But I don't like seeing you struggling like this. So we'd better speak like this until we reach Hardrow."

"Hardrow, or as we call it in the ancient, Hominum Miter, is one of the most glorious cities you will ever visit.
The tall brownstone walls, the Eternal Palace, a granite monolith carved into a beautiful royal palace, unmatched with anything you'll ever see!"

"I've read about the Monolith Palace of Hardrow. Such a wonderful creation by the great god, turned into a greater masterpiece by the people of Hardrow many centuries ago." Gere says.

"You should see Crae, blessed Gere!"

"Oh, I've never heard about Crae, actually, tell me about your village, dux Vinco."

"I should tell you about my family history first , in order to learn about the small village of Crae."

"I'm all ears, I love listening to tales." Gere says.

"Long ago. My grandparents, lots of troubles they had at the the North. Hemoboros came in our village and destroyed everything. My grandparents lived and start descending to the south, to unknown lands for them. Until they came across Miter, Hardrow. Hardrow accepted all of the villagers from the north, they taught how to farm properly and afterwards gave us lands nearby the city. There, the people built a stone wall in order to keep Hemoboros' army away from their new village and Miter. This is how Crae was built. Now my family owns most of the lands there."

Vinco looks at the countryside with a slight melancholy as he has a long time to visit his homeland and telling the story of his family made his melancholy even worse.

"What about your home, iudex Gere?" Vinco says.

Gere has a short laugh inside his mind because he called him "judge" again and then answers to his question.

"I've grew up and spent more of my life in service of the Hails in Hierydor, dux Vinco. One time I was lucky enough to follow, deceased, may he have enough rest, Lance Hail the II to Icelands. I've met there Vera Magister, that was long before she got the title "The Elder Queen", so you can picture how long ago that was!"