Holis turns to look at me with a small frown but continues his ride in silence. I watch as Stormfall’s head brushes against the side of Keane’s neck in comfort, a gesture that I’ve become all too familiar with over the past few days. Keane continues his strokes against Storm’s chest before the baby beast finally pushes off his shoulder to fly back to me, his warm body nestling under my hair again as he goes back to sleep.
We continue our ride through the forest, the air getting cooler as the day turns into early evening. I can tell we’re getting closer to Gaumond when the trees begin to thin out and the sunlight finally beams down to the forest floor.
Eventually we reach a clearing in the forest and spot the road jutting proudly towards the towering black castle ahead. Smoke from all the rises bound up into the sky, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d truly think the city itself was on fire due to the way the sunset hits it just perfectly.Ancients,I’m beginning to wonder if the early evening is now my favorite time of day when it comes to this capitol.
The sight of Gaumond takes my breath away, just as it did from the moment I first saw it. It stands tall and proud in the distance, the full city ominous yet inviting in its purposeful stance. My eyes dip to the Prince riding up front, to his own proud stance as he sits straighter in his seat and eyes his home. He belongs here, without a doubt, so much so that I have to look away.
“Wake up, Stormfall,” I shrug my shoulder, “we’ve reached Gaumond.”
The Bird of Ash peers out from under my hair, immediately unfurrowing his body and pushing off again. His black wings extend and carry him far down the road, the sight of the smokey rises creating a perfect backdrop to his soar.
We reach the massive entry gate leading to the bottom of the city, the smell of fire and heated metal greeting us all. Stormfall flies high above our group before dipping down to land back on my shoulder, opting not to hide under my hair and instead take everything in.
We move along the first rise of blacksmiths and fire, with many of the patrons stopping their work to bow to the Princes from their shops. The same happens when our group rides into the wood workers rise, with Keane greeting everyone with a genuine smile and nod of his head. We say goodbye to Barnes when we reach his quiet section of homes, then climb higher until we’re passing by the training fields and barracks at the bottom of the hill. Hundreds of men litter the fields of grass below as they perfect their training into the evening, and while their use of summoning and their skill with blades always has me intrigued, I have to look away from the small woods that is calling at their backs. I avert my eyes from the sparkling black leaves that I know are hidden behind those barracks, my hand reaching down to pat Millie on her neck and grabbing her a bit too hard.
We finally pass through the final gate and into the lively city town surrounding the castle. Thousands of Discerni and humans are walking about, their smiles and neighborly chatter engaging with others as they go through their everyday errands for the evening. As always, the town is thoroughlyalive.The roads are bustling with the sounds of horses and laughter as people walk alongside eachother. Everything and everyoneis just happily loud, a beautiful and proud city filled with beautiful and proud people who live side by side.
The castle of Gaumond and its manicured lawn and thin woods surrounding it finally come into view. We bring our horses to the stables and dismount as a number of young boys spot the Princes and start grabbing everyone’s reins. I dip my hand into the bag at my side and open Golem’s jar, then remove all of my travel packs off of Millie as I sling them over my shoulder. I give my girl one last pat on her rear and let the boy take her away, turning to the sound of Golem’s padded feet with a small smile.
“We’ve reached Gaumond, Golem.”
Golem nods with that small look of concern still in his eyes and steps into my side. Our small traveling group stops in front of the wide black stairs that lead into the castle, all of our eyes turned on the Prince who stands above.
“You’ll be afforded the same guest rooms as your previous stay here,” Keane stands on top stair and glances between our Knowledge group, resting his brown gaze firmly on mine, “I expect to see you all at court tonight.”
The men nod at the royal command and start walking up the stairs.
“Lady Alexis,” the Prince requests, eyes still holding mine.
“Lady Alexis!” another voice calls from inside the castle.
I break the Prince’s gaze and spot Gail waving down at me earnestly from behind the doors. She has a broad smile on her face and the look of excitement in her features, the girl looking genuinely happy to see me.
“Excuse me, Your Highness,” I tell Keane and walk around him.
“Gail,” I smile to the young human girl at the top of the steps, “what has you so happy?”
Her gaze falls to my shoulder, eyes widening at the sight of Storm.
“This is Stormfall,” I reply, grinning when Storm gives a small caw in greeting.
Gail breaks into another large grin and looks at Storm as a friend. “Hello little beast. And hello again to you, Golem,” she turns to the
magical creature next to me.
“We heard court is being called tonight,” she ushers me to follow her into the entry hall, “and I was hoping to catch you before you went.”
“Is everything okay?” I ask, letting her lead me up a jutting black staircase.
“Yes!” she exclaims, “more than okay. I actually have something for you.”
“For me?” I laugh.
“Yes, for you. All the girls keep telling me I’m wasting my time,” she continues, rolling her eyes, “but I don’t care. I knew I had to make it once you left.”
She walks us up another black staircase and down a curving hall, one that has a few paintings on the walls that I instantly recognize. We’re heading towards the kitchens and her seamstress room on the same floor, my hunch correct when Gail stops in front of the large wooden door and leads us inside.
The space is small and cozy and littered with various black and deep green fabrics, their satin colors shining from the setting sun that’s pushing through a small window. In one corner sits a working desk, and in another, a massive mirror. Next to that mirror is a shimmering brown dress that’s pinned to a wooden bodice, its rich fabric instantly calling to me on a whim.
