“I can’t help it. They smell like wet shit.”
Rynthea growls, and the bear straightens his back. I stifle a laugh, which earns me a glower from the bear.
“What is the purpose of your visit?” he asks after clearing his throat.
“The Autumnal Beast Fete,” Rynthea replies.
“Are you on the guest list?”
She stacks her spine. “Ask your king.”
I frown, confused. She has to be bluffing.
The bear inclines an eyebrow beneath his silver helmet. “The king isn’t to be disturbed tonight.”
“Just tell him my name. Rynthea Kamtaur. He’ll be happy to welcome us in.”
The bear narrows his eyes at her before studying the rest of us again.
“For Orvena’s ssssake, Yelahn!” the snake guard hisses. “Jussst let them passss and we’ll deal with it insssside!” He covers his narrow nostrils with a gloved hand. “I can’t take another ssssecond of the ssssmell!”
All the guards howl with laughter at the snake’s outburst.
I sputter a laugh myself, looking from them to Algar, who’s found the situation just as comical as I have. Thane and Rynthea, however, are not tickled in the slightest.
“Fine. Go on. Ask for the king, but you’ll get nothing of it,” the bear instructs with a dismissive wave of his paw. “And I beg of you. Wash four times and then burn the clothes. You smell like you’ve been rolling in a pigsty.”
The scaly beastial hurries toward the gates, shouting for them to open it from the inside. To my relief, the gates spread apart, creaking mildly at the hinges as they open at a snail’s pace. As we pass through, the fish-scaled one covers his nose again, which I think is hilarious, seeing as his lineage is likely connected to the sea and, last I checked, fish don’t have a pleasant scent.
“Okay, either they’ve all been drinking, or they’re insanely bored at those gates,” Algar chortles as we stroll in.
“They’re all ridiculous,” Rynthea mutters. “Poor excuses for guards.”
As we walk deeper into the village, I have to take a moment to appreciate the beauty of this place. On the outside, the kingdom of Bernwood doesn’t appear like much, but the inside is charged with life. I have a feeling it’s because of the fete Rynthea mentioned.
Beastials of all species wander about, carrying sacks full of clothing, silk, and other materials. Beastial children run around giggling with sticks of colorful, oversize sugar pops in hand, and in the distance is a stunning view of the ocean with half of the sun nestled beneath the horizon. Several speedships are lined up at the ports with people carrying barrels and crates on and off.
We trek across an ivy-clad bridge arching over a river that connects the modest homes to the bustling attraction of the marketplace. Stalls and tables overflow with silk fabrics, rare spices, and ripe fruit. A wagon piled with red and lilac flowers is carted along the cobblestone streets, zipping right past us. Gorgeous horses clomp along with carriages attached by breeching straps. One of the beastials guiding a carriage tips his hat at us.
I can’t help but smile.
Deeper in the village, wooden merchant stands painted deep purple or navy blue are built between stone boutiques. Each one has a line of eagerly waiting beastials. A gentle breeze carries the scent of roasted meats and vegetables from a food alley. It’s enough to make my mouth water and my stomach growl.
But the village is no competition for the towering castle in the distance. Built into the mountains and made purely of stone is a castle just as tall as the Crystal Palace in Meriva. A sundial to match is attached to a thick tower on the left.
Wow.
Bernwood is beyondgorgeous.
I’ve read many things about this kingdom. It’s where the famous alvanite stone originates. Alvanite is used to construct the sturdiest buildings, homes, and ships. Bernwood often trades it with other kingdoms, which makes this a generally wealthy settlement.
It’s why no other kingdom has ever started a war with them. Not only does Bernwood have a massive army with some of the strongest beastials in all of Thelanor, but any kingdom willing to ruin their healthy supply of alvanite stone would be foolish. Alvanite is nearly as valuable as gold.
After collecting our gear from Pearl’s saddle, we drop her off at a stable where Thane pays a stable boy for her food and water. She is worn out from the journey, just like us.
We then walk across a towering bridge with royal purple flags attached to thick posts. I notice each flag has the symbol of a black lion standing on all fours, its mouth ajar and its tail erect. Nearing the end of the bridge, I realize we’re within walking distance of the front doors of the castle.
Wait. Is Rynthea really going to try and talk to the king? Was it not a bluff?
