“Yes.”
She swallowed hard. “I couldn’t even keep a city that was handed to me out of shambles and yet this...”
Did she blame herself for the destruction of her city?Judging by the Death-wielding I’d witnessed, there would have been little she could have done to prevent the ruin that had occurred. No mortal, even one with a hint of Reverist magic, could take on an army of Death-wielders. I voiced none of that.
I knew the feeling of being responsible for a city’s demise…
“That is Sahlmsara.”
“It’s truly marvelous,” she repeated.
Chapter 7
Sybilla
Still reeling from seeing the city for the first time, I gave the mule enough slack in the reins to navigate down the rocky trail.
We weaved through smaller towns built into the canyon side. People stood on stone porches and waved rust-colored fabric to greet us. They kissed two fingers and held them out to the soldiers and their King as we passed.
“Return the gesture,” Krait instructed before he placed the pads of his pointer and middle fingers to his lips and extended them out to each family. I held the reins in one hand and mimicked his movement.
“Is it a sign of respect?” I asked.
“Yes.”
I found myself thankful that the mule seemed to know the route well because my head snapped from one side to the other as I looked at the surroundings, too entranced to steer effectively.
It was far more vivid than I’d imagined. We rode through rural areas with quaint rounded clay structures. As we neared the heart of Sahlmsara, colorful tiles of turquoise, burgundy and orange adorned doorways and windows. Intricate lines of tiles stretched across the full face of some of the larger buildings.
And thesizeof the city. If it weren’t hidden in this canyon, you might have been able to see it from the Plateau at the north border of Henosis.
As we traveled toward the city’s center, the buildings grew denser. The skyline of towering buildings was only interrupted by canals that ran parallel to each other, with bridges to allow crossing. Stucco balconies lined most of the multistory buildings. In the street gutters, a surprising mix of spiked vegetation grew, adding green and blue hues to the bustling streets. People stared as we passed, but I was too consumed with the breathtaking beauty of the city to fully pay attention.
Until their thoughts began to seep in.
“Our King has returned...”
“This must mean news is coming about the Henosis border...”
“Who rides with him?”
I shut down my senses—a habit of self-preservation. It wasn’t always pleasant to hear first impressions of yourself.
“Stay with her,” Darvanda said to Elsedora before he trotted up to lead the soldiers. She clucked to her horse and glanced over at me.
“It’s something, isn’t it?” she asked as she extended her fingers to a little girl who waved with a smile.
I nodded, unsure how to articulate exactly how splendid it was. The red rocks of the canyon walls complemented the city—making every color pop that much more. “It looks very prosperous here,” I managed to say.
“What did you think it would be? A pile of rocks?”
“I honestly didn’t know,” I answered. “I expected more...doom and gloom?”
Elsedora snorted. “Oh, because of him?” She held her reins in one hand and waved toward the front of the procession. “Most people here have made a comfortable life for themselves.”
“If that’s so, why did so many leave to attack Henosis?” There was still resentment against Henosis in this realm—my city lay in ruins as proof.
“There is another city, just beyond the Vallic Mountains.” Elsedora pointed straight ahead. “It is called Sahlmkar. It’s where those who continued the attack on Phynx civilians were relegated when we traveled here. Most are still imprisoned. It’s less fertile ground and has harder living conditions—a punishment for disobeying their King’s orders. We suspect that is where Firose was able to rally recent support. The people there still worship the Death Origin, Caym.”
