We approached one of the main checkpoints to enter the city and were met immediately by the Royal Guard. A dozen men approached in impeccably polished armor, each wearing a white tabard that bore the Chaddington lion crest. The soldier at the head of the group bowed and saluted Chad.

“A glorious day, your Highness. And it has only been made all the better with your safe return.”

Chad raised his hand in greeting. “At ease, Duncan. I know you are only here as a mock pleasantry from my father to disguise his anger while he awaited my delayed return. Let us continue on towards home and get this over with promptly.”

“As you wish, your Highness.”

Duncan bowed again, spun on his heel, and signaled for the other troops to do the same.

I tried not to giggle, as it was not the time, but I couldn’t help but be amused by Duncan’s wild and thick faded blonde mustache that angrily grew out of his helmet and away from his face. It was coarse and stiff and almost had a character apart from Duncan, himself.

Duncan was an older man, in at least his late 40’s, but his grayish eyes were still vibrant and alert. As expected from a man of his position, they hid the darker experiences from his youth. The way Chad addressed him, it was clear they had a relationship that went deeper than mere royalty and protector.

We made our way through the main thoroughfares of Torzoa, and there was a weird feeling in the air that I just couldn’t put my finger on.

The main streets were well maintained and clean, lined with shops and vendors. Everything looked to be in order and was pleasing to the eye, as one should expect from the capital city. Despite that, there was a foul smell in the air, one that felt it came about by having too many unwashed people packed in too small a space. Though it wasn’t obvious at a quick glance, I was certain the people who lived this far from the mountain were also people of more simple means. Despite the protection of the city walls and the attention to detail to make the capital feel welcoming, I couldn’t help but notice there was still a sense of danger this far from the immaculately carved buildings that adorned the base of the mountain.

The further we made our way into the city, and closer to the mountain we got, the more Torzoa started to resemble the grand capital of mankind that Chad had boasted about. There were many more bright colors lining the buildings and streets everywhere. Banners and ribbons in the Chaddington white and gold adorned everything.

Once at the base of the mountain, the buildings became more extravagant and grandiose, in size and design. They were all scrubbed white and pristine, as if cleaned daily. There wasn’t a curved line amongst the architecture anywhere. Everything was sharp and tall, with straight lines and the sense of an unyielding force. They projected an unspoken message to the outer ring surrounding them:

Ye of dirt and filth shall go no further. Thou dost not belong amongst the Gods.

The buildings were packed so closely together that they formed their own barrier to the outer circle, creating an inner ring of citizens walled off and oblivious to the living conditions on the other side.

Ignorance is bliss.

As we finally breached the inner circle of buildings, there was even a gate to penetrate further. I would have been amused at the idea that, even in this world, there was such a thing as a “gated community”, if I hadn’t been so appalled at the conditions and callousness of the citizens that called the Inner Circle home.

The Inner Circle was comprised of shops and homes that were much more what should be expected of a prosperous capital city. None of them looked in danger of collapsing at any moment. The homes lined up on the main streets looked capable of comfortably housing generously sized families. No person appeared in want of clothes or a hot bath. Why these luxuries only extended so far from the Castle itself I could only guess.

Finally, we made it to the castle walls, where a drawbridge had been lowered to allow us to cross a perilous man-made pit. Now that we were closer to the castle walls, I noticed that they actually did rise up from the mountain base itself. Great labors had been completed in shaping the walls, as the Founders had mined and dug down into the mountain itself to create separation from the original mountain slope and its heart. The walls were carefully carved and shaped further to allow parapets at their top and more soldiers to observe below.

The mountain had been effectively shrunk from it’s natural girth to allow space for the courtyard within and the castle to be built into the mountain itself, with it’s old slopes now its walled protection. Considering the work and time it must have taken to accomplish such a feat of engineering, I found myself impressed for the first time since entering the city.

The large courtyard was completely designed and decorated with rock and stone, not a green blade of grass in sight. A spiraling makeshift staircase was attended by four heavily armed guards and wound up the mountain peak to allow access to Obarith’s temple only once access to the courtyard had first been permitted.

We finally dismounted our horses and followed Duncan and the guards across the courtyard, their metal boots clacking on the stone beneath our feet. All but Chad were forced to disarm before entering the castle itself. The yawning portal of stone doors extended outwards, beckoning us to the heart of the mountain beyond.

Once inside, we were immediately met with a massive entrance hall. The open floor plan was strewn with plush, gold carpets to cover the cold and unfeeling polished stone floors. The rank and file of the guards disbanded and disappeared through side rooms and hallways, leaving us with only Duncan as our escort.

Chandeliers and torches were mounted excessively throughout the open space, which illuminated even the furthest corners and all but eliminated the shadows. The vaulted ceiling gave no indication of the castle’s location inside a mountain, but had instead been carved, polished and painted with motifs of mankind’s early history on Eitania. There were large depictions across it that consisted of whom I could only assume were the Gods of Light, granting primitive mankind boons and favors.

“Does the Crown do anything small?” I whispered to Dorian.

Since entering the capital, I had been speechless up until now, taking in the sights before me, both repulsive and impressive. Every new sight observed since entering the Inner Circle and the castle seemed to overcompensate for something else.

“Just wait until you see Obarith’s temple,” he whispered back.

That had me both intrigued and terrified at the same time.

We approached a large set of immaculately carved stairs that stretched easily twenty feet across and comprised of at least a few dozen carpeted steps. Halfway up, waiting for our arrival, was a young man. With only a glance, I immediately knew he was Chad’s younger brother.

They both sported the same hair and eye color, though the sibling had grown his hair out a bit and it tickled his ears and neckline. His frame had not filled out like his brother’s yet, but when he got older, they would be difficult to tell apart. He was wearing a stylized dress tunic covered by a vest, as well as very nice dress pants and shoes. Everything was white, save for some gold trimmings and a chain that crossed from a button on the vest to a breast pocket. The lion crest also adorned his left breast, like his brother’s garments.

His posture was anything but royal, however. He was standing on the steps waiting for us in a relaxed pose, with his hands in his pockets, and he was leaning on the railing. I don’t think I had ever seen Chad lean on anything. He was grinning from ear to ear, a look all too familiar to me, but it was directed at his brother.

“Look who finally came home, brother!” He opened his arms wide in a sarcastic welcome as we joined him midway up the staircase.

“You know, when Duncan returns from an important mission from Blackwall, one expects that the prince selected to be Father’s envoy for said mission is to return with him.” His grin got even wider, which seemed impossible without swallowing half of his face.

“Imagine Father’s surprise when you were not only not where you were supposed to be, fulfilling his duty, but were later to be found organizing fights in some backwater town on the outskirts of nowhere. Fights that offered prize money from the King’s own coffers, no less!

He clapped Chad on the shoulder, “I hope to Obarith, Himself, that you have a good excuse. Father has been seething about your return for months.”

Chad hadn’t stopped scowling since the lad had started talking and shrugged his shoulder to jostle the younger man’s hand away.

I coughed, “Going to introduce us, Chad?”

Chad had moved past his brother, but my prompting forced him to stop. His fingers were grasping the bridge of his nose and his eyes were pinched shut with annoyance.

“I was hoping to avoid this…” I heard him mutter.

His frustration persisting, he didn’t turn back to face us for a proper introduction, merely extending a hand casually outward, “This is Maximillian, my brother and 5th in line for the throne.” He finally did turn then, a malicious smirk on his face, “Or is it 7th? I can never keep track.”

Max ignored the obvious ribbing, “The more you keep mucking up, the more opportunities I am offered to keep rising, my dear brother!”

He then spun to me, Chad completely forgotten, “And who is this enchanting flower?” He delicately took my hand and lightly kissed the back of it. “You may address me as Max, if it pleases you to do so.”

He glanced at his brother, “Full names are for people like my father and brother, who appreciate titles almost as much as their own reflection.”

His lips were incredibly soft and lingered only a moment, the perfect amount of time for the gesture. I knew the kiss was coming and yet I didn’t pull away. Chad was having a hard day, but he had been obnoxiously difficult on the road and was earning no pity from me.

Let him watch.

Chad clenched his fists tightly and ground his teeth together before storming off up the stairs.

Max rose and released my hand, before pressing his right hand to his chest and giving me a deep bow, “My lady, your beauty mentioned in my brother’s brief letters home did not do you justice! He could have done a much better job at describing the majesty I see before me!”

I felt the heat in my face and knew I must be the deepest shade of red. How was this charming prince even remotely related to Chad? It didn’t seem possible. After some difficulty, I was able to tear my gaze away from him and saw Dorian was also unamused.

I coughed lightly to gather myself, and then said, “See Dorian? It’s not hard.”

Max’s grin returned and he also addressed him.

“My dear brother, Dorian! How goes? Still struggling to woo the ladies it seems? Is my brother rubbing off on you?”

Dorian’s emotions at seeing the younger lad betrayed him. He let his face slip into a grin and reached out to clutch the younger prince’s outstretched arm in greeting. “If the women wouldn’t fight how they truly feel about me so fervently, my struggles would cease!” They clapped each other on the back heartily. It seemed they shared a kindred friendship that revolved around Chad’s suffering.

He then greeted Ash, “And you must be the male descendant of the Goddess my brother had mentioned was also in his company.” Max again bowed in greeting and then addressed Ash and myself, “Welcome to our fair castle and city! I can only hope you find our hospitality to your liking!”

Duncan interjected quickly, “If you are through with the pleasantries, your Highness, I am sure the King awaits us.”

Max turned to his side and gestured to the top of the stairs with a sweep of his hand. Chad was already near the top. “Of course! Let us proceed!