Ashtown was a very industrial city.

Made from a combination of brick and steel, numerous towering structures rose into the sky, monolithic creations that kept the sunlight from filling the streets below. Automated wagons charged by Spirit Crystals moved across paved black top streets, the gentle thrum of crystallized energy like the migrant humming of a bird in the background. If one were to look overhead, passed the giant buildings clawing at the domain reserved for celestial spirits, they would see the smog, thick and putrid, rising from large chimney chutes, as various factories worked almost nonstop.

Caspian stared at his newfound surroundings with the gaze of an excited child. Naturally, he tried to appear nonchalant, but everyone there could tell he was in awe of the place. Just like a kid visiting a paradise resort for the first time.

"How do you like my city, Caspie?"

His head turned toward the woman sitting in the seat opposite of him. Caspian regarded Erica with what he could only hope appeared to be a neutral gaze.

"It's all right." He paused, a vein suddenly throbbing on his head as his glare hardened. "And it's Caspian, not Caspie."

"Fu fu fu. You're so cute when you try to act cool and nonchalant like that."

Caspian's cheeks turned pink. "Shut up," he mumbled, looking away in a vain attempt at keeping Erica from noticing his blush.

He, Cassidy and Erica were traveling to the largest structure in the city, Dorehan Tower, via one of the many automated four-wheel wagons that drove through the city. Known as Magically Automated Four-wheeled Transportation, or MAFT, these vehicles were a recent creation, having been built only within the past two decades. There were also MATTs, Magically Automated Two-wheeled Transportation, which looked like bicycles with a spirit engines attached to them.

Caspian knew a little about MAFTs and MATTs. It was required of a Knight to at least learn the basics, so he knew what they were and how to operate them. He didn't know how they worked, however. While it was important to understand the basics behind magical technology, the finer points were not necessary.

The MAFT they rode in was one of the nicer ones. Actually, that was something of an understatement. It didn't just look nicer, it kicked the crap out of every other MAFT they had come across. It was that extravagant. Painted in reds and golds, the interior looked like a miniaturized version of a castle's sitting room. Posh seats of a dark crimson, soft leather and low lighting gave it an almost romantic atmosphere. It even had a new cooling unit to keep their refreshments chilled.

As he continued glancing out the window, the streets became less populated, the buildings more sparse, and Caspian finally caught his first true glimpse of Dorehan Tower.

To say that it was colossal would be like saying humans were taller than ants. Standing at what must have been several hundred meters, it loomed over the city, a giant among giants. He couldn't even see the top it was so tall.

The tower itself was cylindrical, and appeared to have some kind of spiral ring wrapped around it, which traveled from the base all the way to the top. At least, Caspian assumed it went to the top. The structure did not gleam in the light, but seemed to absorb solar radiation like a sponge, soaking up all forms of illumination. The Stygian stones that composed the massive construct were almost pure black, darker than anything he'd ever seen. Several spires protruded from the sides, each one dotted with windows that led him to assume they were rooms. They didn't seem to be in any sort of set pattern or specific order, but appeared to have been placed around the tower with an almost sporadic nature.

How odd. The tower looked out of place among the more industrialized structures, but Caspian supposed that was exactly what Erica wanted. Someone like her would definitely desire her place of residence to stand out.

The MAFT pulled into a driveway of extravagant design, made from a strange type of cobblestone that refracted sunlight. A fountain sat in the center, depicting a woman who Caspian realized with a start could only be Erica. He didn't know whether to feel disgusted at her arrogance or applaud her audacity.

They stopped several feet from a set of stairs leading up to a doorway. Derek, who sat with the driver and not with Erica ("This is your punishment for disobeying me," Erica had said), got out of the transport first and opened the single rear door, allowing the Sorceress and her entourage to exit.

"Well, here we are." Erica turned around and gave Caspian a haughty smile. She even flipped her hair over her shoulder for good measure, right before placing her left hand on her deliciously curved hip. "What do you think?"

"Well..." Caspian tried to think of something to say that would aptly describe Erica's home. "It's definitely... big... and, uh, nice?"

Erica rolled her eyes. "Honestly," she sighed, "I show you my most glorious home, and all you can deem to call it is 'big' and 'nice?'" She made quotation marks in the air while speaking. "Can't you think of anything better? Like grand. Or immense. Or―"

"Super-sized."

"―Yes, or super-sized... wait. What?"

"Nothing." Caspian shook his head as Erica looked at him oddly. After several long seconds of silence, the woman shrugged off his words and promptly changed the subject.

"In any case, I believe this would be a good time for you to get acquainted with your new home."

"Don't say that like I'm going to stay here for the rest of my life," Caspian grumbled.

"Cassidy. Why don't you give young Caspie a tour of the tower?"

"Don't call me Caspie! And how could you possibly expect her to give me a tour of this place? It's massive!"

"Oh, and when you're done, be sure to show him where he will be staying for the duration of his time here."

"Stop ignoring me!"

"Of course, Mistress Erica." Cassidy bowed to the gorgeous femme, then rose back up and gestured for Caspian to follow her. "Master Caspian, please follow me while I show you around."

"Master?" Caspian raised an eyebrow, but followed nonetheless. "So, you're calling me master now?"

"Of course. As Master Derek's temporary replacement, you must be afforded the same respect that I would normally reserve for him."

"For some reason, hearing you call me a temporary replacement really upsets me."

"Ah! I-I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to make you angry!"

"It's fine... let's just get this over with."

"Of course, Master Caspian."

Caspian wanted to scowl, but resisted the urge and followed Cassidy as she lead him inside.

***

Erica watched as Caspian and her maid disappeared into Dorehan Tower. It would likely be awhile before she saw them again. Her home was a huge place, after all, and giving Caspian a tour of it, even if Cassidy limited what she showed him to the used facilities, would likely take most of the day.

That was fine. There was some work that she needed to get done at home, which wouldn't require Caspian's presence, as only a fool would attack her in her own abode.

"They seem to be getting along well," Derek said, coughing into his hand as he went into another minor fit. "Wouldn't you agree, my lady?"

"If you say so," Erica replied, right before fixing her Knight with a glare. "And now, Derek, it is time for me to mete out the rest of your punishment."

"Punishment?"

"You can't honestly believe that the small punishment I gave you on the way here was all I would be doing, did you?" Derek's already white face paled even further when Erica gave him a placid yet terrifying smile, the same smile she gave people to let them know they were completely screwed. "Oh no, you willfully ignored a direct order from me. That sort of disobedience requires something far more... appropriate. The punishment must fit the crime, after all."

"M-My Lady Erica," Derek's eyes widened, "surely, you wouldn't do that!"

... His response was met with silence. Erica looked at Derek, a single, delicate eyebrow raised.

Derek began to sweat.

"All right, you would, but don't! Please! Anything but that!"

Erica ignored his pleading.

"Until you have fully recovered, you will not be allowed to leave your bed. And since you are of no use to me without your full might, I shall not pay you a single visit for any reason, not even to deliver your meals. You can deal with the maids from now on."

"!!!!!!"

Derek's despairing cry rang throughout the city.