Calytrix's Journey

Part XXII: Reyaeth kingdom I

Rheya's capital was unlike all the other towns I visited so far. Once Ann led me there I just stood in the middle of the street and stared at my surroundings. The street consisted of neatly paved smooth gray stones. Near the street sides, flowers blossomed in vivid colors. A small gust of wind brought me a faint fragrance from the flowers that smelled like happiness. There was no garbage on the streets or any mud. I couldn't even see a speck of dirt. It was nice to see everything so clean but it felt unnatural at the same time.

The buildings were built high up as though they wanted to reach for the sky. It was my first time seeing something like that.

I glanced at the fire spirit but it didn't show any signs of being impressed by the capital nor did it show any signs of being interested in anything around but I continued to glance around.

The people around me were mostly dressed in clothes of high-quality fabric and had an air of dignity to them. I wondered how costly the fabric was. If it wasn't too expensive I could buy some of it and sent it home. My parents could make some nice clothes out of it and make a lot of money if they find a proper buyer. If I weren't a witch I'd surely succeed family business. I'd be a tailor and perhaps I'd go on a journey to find the best fabrics. Even though fabrics can't be a source of livelihood for me, good ones still caught my eyes.

Besides the well-dressed people there those dressed in red coats walking around as if they were paroling the streets. They didn't carry any visible weapons and didn't seem to be royal guards. As long as I don't do anything out of the ordinary that would draw attention to me I should be fine.

"Rheya's speech is coming up soon. You should go listen to it," an older woman dressed in a red coat said in a strict tone. She was quite tall and slim. Her short grey hair was neatly done in curls.

"That's why I'm here for," I said.

The woman satisfyingly nodded and I continued to walk straight.

"You're going the wrong way, girl!" She called out to me.

"My mistake. Thank you for telling me," I said and went to an alley on my right.

A young man dressed in a red coat blocked my way this time. He had very short hair and a strict look on his face. In a strange way, he reminded me of a royal guard.

"What are you doing here? heya's speech will be in a minute," he said.

"It seems like I took the wrong turn. I thought I was going to the right place," I said with an awkward laugh.

I wanted to explore the town first and by doing that I'd surely end up in the place where Rheya held her speech, but these red coats were so insisting that I go. The man walked in front of me and said: "Follow me."

I wanted to refuse but there were so many people dressed in red coats and they had their attention on me. If I walked away now I'd draw much more attention to me. It would be best to play along for start and see what will happen. I hope Rheya didn't mark me as a wanted criminal or something. If I were something like that I would have probably been arrested by now. I never told her that I'd agree with her plans or worldviews which probably made me an enemy.

I followed the man to a town square. Many people gathered there and people in black clothes were standing in the center, around a water source as if they were protecting it. The water coming from the ground was very clear. One could see through it as if it was a piece of glass. It didn't seem like it was a natural source of water. I wondered how it was pouring out to the sky because I couldn't sense any magic.

Although it was a strange sight it was relaxing in its sight and sound. Rheya wasn't here. If she were I'd sense her magic. Maybe she was late? It'd be better if she doesn't spot me so I hid behind a crowd of people. If she shows up she won't be able to make eye contact and I'll safely hear her crazy speech.