While not as large in land mass as the twin city next to it, Dalloway still hosts roughly the same population as Agnor, but where the Knowledge city chooses to spread itself low and wide around the waters and separates itself into different villages along the lake, this Warrior city opts to buildupin its mass, with the black granite buildings cutting sharply into the sky. Warrior is daring, if nothing else, and it’s buildings towering over five levels high show that. The homes and storefronts stand tall above us with open windows and balconies constructed to catch the river’s breeze, and the people moving between the sharp buildings are just as proud as the facades around them, with all of them dressed in the dark greens and black of their Court. Their faces are hardened with a purpose not often found in Knowledge, though many of them, both Discerni and humans alike, smile to the Princes in passing, their grins only growing wider when both brothers acknowledge their greeting with small talk and what looks to be genuine smiles.
I watch from the back of the group as a few human children run in front of Prince Keane as we move through the city, the boys truly not paying attention to the road or who they cut off. A mother quickly runs behind them and apologizes to the Prince in horror, then picks up her skirts and starts chasing after the kids with a large huff of breath.
Desmond turns to his brother as we continue our ride, jutting his chin down the road to the boys who have now been stopped and are receiving a scolding. Keane smiles at something he says and then subtly, as if part of the mischief that got the boys in trouble in the first place, throws them a wink from afar and rolls his eyes at the mother’s back. The children perk up from their sulking with sparkles in their eyes, laughing in quiet secrecy with the Prince.
We reach the edge of Dalloway just before the noon apex and stop at small black pub twinkling under the sun. The place is cozy and has two roaring fireplaces at opposite ends of the room, the warmth from the flames perfect for this cool, spring midday.
There’s a number of torches fashioned along the walls within the pub, the light from the flames yet another fixture that is unique unto this Court. Where Knowledge and Woodlands opt for mystical lanterns of bottled moonslight to light their way, Warrior prefers to light its cities with wooden fires, torches and candles that always leave a heady scent of campfire in the air. I happen to favor our own method of magical light, but can’t deny that the woodsy feel and smell that comes from the natural fires ignites my heart.
Holis smiles when I take a seat next to him at our group table and quickly hands me a basket of bread. That’s something I’ve always liked about the Discerni twin- he always seems to have his hands on food and aims to make sure I do as well. It’s a good precursor to an otherwise uneventful meal, and by the time we’re all finishing up, my eyes start to droop. Sleep isfinallycatching up to me from the events of last night.
Cal catches my latest yawn and shakes his head, flagging for the man behind the pub. The two of them have a brief conversation before the man nods and heads back to the kitchen, returning just as quickly with a glazed pastry in his hand. I nearly salivate at all the sugar rolling off the flakey bread and watch as Cal gives the man an extra cinerin before handing it my way. His previous grimace turns into a smile when I gratefully tear off a piece and squeeze his hand in thanks, every part of my being willing the sugar to give me the boost of stamina I need to make it to the night.
I don’t know why, but my gaze searches for the Prince when I release Cal’s hand. His brown eyes immediately find mine, his own gaze silent and staring back at me with cool and unreadable indifference before he looks at Cal.
As expected, the ride through the Green Valley is hard and taken at a full gallop. We ride to cover as much land as possible so we can make it to Gaumond before nightfall tomorrow. We’ve stopped only once to refresh the horses and take care of personal needs, but other than that, we’ve been riding nonstop for the better half of the day.
It’s well into sunset by the time the Prince announces our camping location is just off the side of the road. Everyone in the group is ready for the announcement and follows him wearily into the forest, our eyes adjusting to the deep greens of the woods that have little to no light. The moment we’re all dismounted, Barnes and Claymore set to the task of building a large campfire in the middle of our gathering, with Barnes, as I come to find out, having an affixation with woodandfire. His summoning allows for the large logs hosting the fire to remain heated and unburnt, an ability that has me transfixed and watching the flames in utter amazement as I unpack.
I end up placing my bedroll not far from that undying fire and push a stake into the ground next to it, loosely wrapping Millie’s reins around the wood to keep her close. I then slip my hand into the bag at my hip and uncork Golem’s clay jar to let him know we’ve arrived, watching as he steps out from behind a tree next to Millie and settles into the shadows of the forest.
“Hello Golem,” I give him an exhausted smile.
The magical creature nods and crosses his arms stoically in front of his chest.
“We’re currently camped in the Black Forest off the Great Road. We passed through the Green Valley earlier and hope to reach Gaumond by tomorrow’s sunset.”
Golem’s eyes roam to the camp around us as I let myself do the same. Alanna’s bedroll has been sneakily stationed to my right, the sight prompting me to scowl, though seeing Cal setting up on my left makes that frown quickly disappear. Barnes and Claymore are to Alanna’s right while Holis and Mana are to Cal’s left. At the opposite side of the fire resides both of the Princes, the two of them setting up their own large tents and staking them into the ground.
“I know you just arrived but I plan on going to bed very soon. I’m sorry I can’t be much company.”
Golem nods again and moves to the shadows between mine and Cal’s bedrolls before he takes his customary stance. I smile at the magical creature and turn towards my big friend, needing one last conversation to take place before I can officially retire.
“Can I join you?”
Cal looks up from his bedroll and narrows his eyes. “You should be sleeping.”
“I will soon,” I promise, “but I need to ask you something.”
His large hand pats the ground besides him in welcome. I duck down and sit with my legs crossed in front of my chest and wrap my arms around my knees, considering how best to approach this.
“Out with it, Alex…”
I sigh and turn to him curiously.
“What can you tell me about court tomorrow? What can we expect?”
Cal runs a hand through his auburn beard in thought, his gaze darting between the Warrior Discerni who travel with us.
“I think I know why you’re asking, Alex, but I’ve never been to the capitol. Anything I tell you will just be word of mouth.”
“That’s okay,” I nod and rest my chin on my knees, “word of mouth is fine. You’ve probably heard more than me in your travels before mine. I just need a general idea, so anything can help.”
Cal nods in understanding and strokes his beard.
“We’ve taken the road south to the cities of Varon and Dardar,” he considers, looking out to the large fire, “you’ve seen how the Warriors are there, both humans and Discerni alike…”
“Yes,” I reply, watching as the Prince surveys his tent. He seems satisfied enough and moves around the fire to talk to Barnes and Claymore.
