The Keepers of Eternity

XXVII

"Belaris." Kaisa said, reigning in her horse. "Capital of the Violets."

Lenore stared out over the hill. The city before her looked smaller than the the last one they'd visited, but still massive enough to catch her breath. Buildings cascaded over the three rolling hills, with domes of mosaic glittering in the daylight. The colors stood out brightly, considering most of the houses were primarily black, with faint colored accents on them. Beyond that, the sea crashed against tall coastal bluffs and churned clouds of ocean mist. She could smell the ocean from her place across the city.

"Now that's a palace." Evadrian remarked, his eyes wide as if trying to soak up every bit of the scenery.

The building at the middle of the city sat like a squatting giant. Its main tower stretched high into the sky—Lenore was certain she'd never seen a taller structure. The back of the palace was smoothly curved and made entirely of glossy, black stone bricks.

Kaisa continued, "The House of Pride...not as disgustingly gaudy as the Yellows, and not as practical as the Browns. Though, I hear the architecture does resemble that of the great Wonders of the south."

Lenore urged Lucio forward, rounding the top of the hill and leading him down towards the city's western gatehouse. Closer to the Belaris' walls, homes and shops started to line the sides of the roads. Carriages and carts filled with goods bumped along the stone path. There seemed to be an entire town flourishing outside of the city proper.

Evadrian trotted up next to her, his hood—like hers—pulled well over his head. He smiled and patted his horse, the two of them following closely behind the Rvyni lieutenant.

"We're close." He assured her. "She's out there somewhere."

Lenore smiled at him and then looked out over the city again. Her sister was somewhere out there among those thousands of houses and shops. The thought was both assuring and depressing.

Minutes later, they stood in the shadow of the gatehouse. Tradesmen and travelers lined up along the road, backed up all the way to the bakery, three hundred feet away from the city's entrance. They were being either let in or turned away, but slowly, as the guards inspected each passing cart and saddlebag.

Kaisa ignored the line and trotted right up to the portcullis. With her vibrant red cape draped over her shoulder and saddle, the crowed parted for her and the rest of her party. Lenore tried to dip her head low. Even if these people found out she was a human, they wouldn't even bat an eye considering the presence of the woman she was traveling with. Kaisa probably had as much security clearance as you could get in Rvyn. Unsurprisingly, she didn't even have to say anything to the guards to get them to open the gate for her. That was...useful.

Under the cover and brief darkness of the stone gatehouse, Lenore lifted her head up, trying to give her neck a break from its usual bent position. She suppressed a gasp, and found herself looking into the eyes of a stranger. The Rvyni was squatting above a murder hole in the roof of the underpass, its violet eyes vividly reflecting the dim light. They really don't trust anyone in this city, do they?

Lenore bit her lip, feeling a bit disturbed, and led Lucio forward with a tad bit more speed. Quickly, she glanced behind her to see if any of the others had noticed. It didn't look like any of them had. Evadrian gave a quick smile when he saw her, and Monfreid and Sid were each preoccupied with the sights of the city.

Kaisa trotted onward, gaining the stares of nearly all who saw her. She waved back at the commoners, like a queen returning from a long holiday in a foreign land. It was almost as if, these people knew Kaisa. More so than at the village before. Surely just wearing a large red cape didn't make you an instant celebrity.