43. Cato
Cato
The capital appears on the horizon like something out of a storybook. We crest the last rise as the late afternoon sun breaks through the clouds, and both Aryn and I go completely still on Nymir’s back.
The city is enormous.
Thick stone walls span across the valley, easily three times the height of those at Maelithryne.
Battlements run along the top, and towers rise at regular intervals with their banners snapping in the wind.
The walls curve with the natural shape of the land, disappearing into the distance where the river cuts through.
“Fuck me,” I breathe.
Aryn’s arms tighten around my waist. “It’s bigger than I remembered.”
“That’s because it’s much bigger than it was,” Brihn says as he rides up beside us, a proud smile on his face. “I told you, Father. Elyra is strong.”
For the first time, I actually believe it.
Before we came, I viewed this place as a broken world full of savages.
Even after we got here, my opinions changed very little.
It was still a desolate place, with barely enough resources to feed its own people.
I never said it out loud, but coming here felt more and more like a fool’s errand with every setback along the way.
Sovran insists our worlds need to work together to survive, but until this moment I’ve been bracing for the worst.
Failure felt inevitable, and because of that, I haven’t let myself truly believe we could pull this off. We’ve talked about what success might mean, sure, but I haven’t let myself hope.
Not like I do right now.
I’ve never been na?ve enough to be optimistic, but right now it swells in my chest until I feel like I could burst with it.
Aryn squeezes my middle like he senses the shift.
I lean back against him, realizing he’s been another casualty of my skepticism.
I’ve given myself to him and promised him everything, but I’ve been holding back.
“Are you alright?” he whispers.
“It’s just… amazing.” I turn my head to find his eyes concerned, brows pinched and lips slightly parted. “Fuck, you’re gorgeous,” I whisper as I lean in for a kiss. He meets me eagerly, though he looks a little baffled when I pull back.
“You sure you’re okay?”
I nod, knowing it isn’t the time or place for more.
We ride through the early evening, and the city’s scale becomes almost overwhelming as we draw closer.
It’s not nearly as large as Atlanta, and it’s missing the skyscraper buildings that reach toward the clouds, but it’s grand.
It draws me in so much that I lean forward to get a better look, trying to take it all in.
The main gate is built with massive, weathered wooden beams that are reinforced with thick iron bands. Two colossal stone statues flank the path—anonymous warriors hidden behind raised shields and readied swords. Guards in conditioned armor stand watch, but they only nod as Brihn leads us forward.
Inside, the city is alive. Cobblestone roads weave through the streets like a living maze, wide enough for wagons and crowds to move freely.
Buildings rise four and five stories high, made of sturdy stone with steep, snow-dusted roofs and colorful awnings over shops.
Clean, well-maintained housing lines the side streets, with smoke curling lazily from chimneys.
People are everywhere, in every color. Dreven with deep red skin, pale green Khileon, purple Anunians, and the varying blues of Nu’vak, Aidresh, and Elduin.
Dozens of other species roam among them, with several I don’t recognize.
I even spot a few humans mixed in, walking openly among the crowd.
Laughter, shouted conversations, and the clatter of hooves on cobblestones fill the air, and smells drift in from all directions.
In the center of it all, dominating the skyline, stands the Vaelor’s castle. It’s built from the same dark stone, with rounded towers, arched walkways, and colored glass windows. It has its own protective wall, complete with a fucking drawbridge. Even from this distance, it feels powerful.
Brihn leads us down the main roads and closer to the castle gates.
I try to look at everything at once, nearly making myself dizzy in my excitement at being in a real city.
The crowd parts for our convoy, and no one casts our diverse group a second glance.
The lack of attention is strangely freeing.
Royal guards stand watch at the gates, and Brihn takes the lead, speaking with them in rapid Elyrian.
They inspect everyone in our group, making note of our names and weapons carried, then inspect the wagon.
Once they’re satisfied, we’re led through the gates, and the city noise dulls behind us.
We climb off our mounts, stretching our legs as we take in the impressive castle before us.
After a few minutes of waiting, a tall, imposing Dreven in ornate armor exits the castle and approaches our group. His expression is stern, but the moment he spots Brihn, he breaks into a warm smile and pulls Brihn into an embrace, clapping him on the back.
Brihn hugs him back. “So good to see you, Galdren. It’s been too long. English, please, for our visitors.”
Galdren pulls back and assesses our group until his gaze lands on Aryn. “Fates above, it’s really you, isn’t it?”
“It is,” Aryn confirms with a sad smile.
Galdren shakes his head and steps closer. “Brihn told me of your arrival in his letter, but part of me didn’t believe it.”
“Is that so?” Brihn says, lifting a brow. “Accusing me of white lies, are you?”
“Not accusing you of anything you haven’t earned,” Galdren retorts. “If memory serves, you’ve been known to stretch the truth.”
Brihn scoffs. “Now you’re just making things up.”
“I could share stories, if you’d like?” Galdren says with a deliberate look.
Brihn smirks as he steps up to Galdren’s side and pokes him gently. “Oh, we’re sharing stories now? I’m sure I recall one or two you wouldn’t want repeated in present company.”
Galdren catches his hand for a split second, and Brihn meets my eyes as I glance pointedly at where they’re holding on to each other. A deeper red flushes Brihn’s cheeks as he quickly drops his hands to his sides.
Galdren clears his throat, then flashes another poised smile.
“Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your arrival, we are thrilled to host you. Rooms have been prepared for the duration of your stay, and we welcome you to explore the city. The Vaelor had some unavoidable business to attend today, but we have arranged for a formal meeting tomorrow afternoon. It will not be interrupted.”
He waves at the stable hands nearby. We collect our supplies before they lead the animals and wagon away, then Galdren guides us into the castle. Aryn stays close, his hand closing around mine as we follow.
The interior is breathtaking, with high vaulted ceilings supported by thick stone columns, polished floors covered in rich fur rugs, and walls hung with intricate tapestries depicting ancient battles and sweeping mountain landscapes.
Warm light from lanterns and roaring fireplaces fills the halls, making the space surprisingly welcoming despite how grand it is.
We climb a wide staircase and walk down a long corridor until Galdren stops in front of a heavy carved wooden door.
“You’ll be staying in this hallway,” he says, gesturing at the row of rooms before pushing the door open. Aryn and I are the closest, so he nods for us to enter first.
A massive bed sits in the center, piled high with thick furs and soft blankets.
They make me want to fall into them and not wake up for a solid twelve hours.
The room is warm from the lit fireplace crackling in the corner, and the wood gives off a scent of something close to pine.
More fur rugs cover the stone floor, and through an open doorway is an attached bathroom.
The large tub is big enough for two, and metal pipes run along the walls to the shower and sink.
“The water is heated,” Galdren says as he follows my gaze, then tries not to smile at my groan.
He gives a respectful dip of his head. “I’ll get the others sorted and leave you to rest. Dinner will be brought to your room shortly, and breakfast will be provided at sunup.
If you need anything in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to ask.
The attendants are waiting at the end of the hall. ”
The door closes behind him with a quiet click, and for the first time in what feels like forever, we’re completely alone.