darkness rising ( complete )

Hail the Kings and Queens of Anvia

Evie expected Northern Anvia to be a bustling city the instant they set foot on it's grounds. But it was just forest. Well, forest for now. Hunter said that the city was farther north where the castle and trade businesses were. Evie tried to shove her slight disappointment down so the others wouldn't see. She was wondering about Doug. Was he alright? She hadn't told him she was leaving, did he deal with it well? How was he holding up? As she was wondering these things she didn't notice the few scattered houses coming into view. She heard children laughing and looked up.

They had entered a small town with people mingling and talking. But when the VKs and Hunter rode through, they stopped and stared in awe. Murmurs flooded through the crowds as they watched the newcomers. Some children playing with a ball didn't notice their parents glazed expressions at the new people. Their toy rolled under Mal's horses feet and a boy ran out to grab it. Mal's horse, seeing the child, spooked and reared whining loudly.

"Whoa!" said Mal. She noticed the boy too, a look of terror was etched on his face. She drew her horse away from the boy as not to hurt him. The cart behind her jerked and almost fell over, but the pirates and wolves moved their weight to one side, tipping it upright.

"Jacob!" a woman on the road, probably the boy's mother, hollered.

"Are you alright?" asked Mal, dismounting, picking up the ball and handing it to him.

The small child nodded.

"Be careful where you play next time," she said kindly. "My horse could have really hurt you."

The boy nodded again. His mother ran out and grabbed him, looking him over. "Jacob, you foolish child! Getting in the way of the kings and queens of Anvia!"

"It's alright," said Mal. "He's safe and that's all that matters."

"Thank you Your Majesty," said the woman. "Jacob, thank your queen."

"Thank you Your Majesty," said Jacob softly, looking down.

"Any time," said Mal with a warm smile. She walked over to her horse and mounted, catching up with the others.

"What was that?" asked Carlos.

"Some kid spooked my horse," said Mal. "But he's fine."

"We are too," said Uma from behind. "Thanks for asking."

Mal turned to look at them. "You're not hurt?"

"Yeah," said Harry. "We're fine."

"Good," said Mal. "What about the wolves?"

"We're fine too," said Cookie.

"Well except Henry," said Shiv sarcastically.

"Hey!" said Henry. "I'm right here."

Shiv gave him a look. "Tell me I'm wrong."

Henry looked at the ground.  "Fine."

Hunter turned to look at the four. "Your Majesties, may I present, Northern Anvia."

It was a beautiful sight to be seen. The city stretched out towards a mountain. You could hear people shouting prices at the top of their lungs. Sheep, cows, pigs, chicken and goats bleated, mooed, squealed and squawked. Villagers went around shopping. Women beat rugs outside their windows. Noble men and women stood and stared down at the common people as they walked stiffly under their piles of jewelry. But the grandest sight of all, was the castle rested on the hill. (Look at the pic at the beginning of the chapter for preference) Mal had to admit, it looked more majestic up close.

"That's our castle?" asked Evie, speechless, as the VKs rode into town.

"It's lovely on the inside," said Hunter. "And the view of the lake from the North and West towers is beautiful."