"Every traveller has a home of his own, and he learns to appreciate it the more from his wandering." ― Charles Dickens

The next couple of weeks take us through a greying landscape of black rock on a stone road stretching and snaking through flat earth changing to intimidating cliffs. Our journey is lonely and I only ever see the humans and the handful of villages we encounter from afar. I had thought that we would have encountered numerous human villages and cattle with rows and rows of crops lining the landscape, but I doubt any plants or animals could survive here even if they were forced to.

"It is because we are travelling to Raven's Peak. If you studied your maps and history books, you would know that Raven's Peak is in the centre of No Man's Land," Elorhim tells me when I voice my disappointment.

My shoulders tense and I ignore him - not because I am that forgiving, but because I lack an intelligent reply.

I can feel Aedan's stare on my back. "I expected some plants at least."

Faolan sees the disappointment on our faces. "Do not be troubled, dearest brother and sister. Ligtland does not look like this everywhere. It is only the south near Raven's Peak and then the land that stretches west from it to Darkeland. You know that the east is entirely different."

"I just wanted to see more."

"You will."

From that point onward we settle into a dulling routine of waking, watching the order practice, practising on our own, travelling, stopping, story-telling and sleeping. After weeks of enduring the scorching sun, water rationing, and uncomfortable horse-riding we passed through a clump of trees that the humans call The Scattered Forest. Scattered it is, but a forest? No, they are rather a sad collection of bushes.

After that, the cliffs soar above us and we travel in a silent valley of shadows. Although we welcome the reprieve from the beating sun, the lack of it feels unnatural.

Faolan finally announces the last day of our journey. "Laelia and Aedan, we are almost at Raven's Peak. If you want to, you can go ahead and be there first. Wait for us at the gate."

Aedan and I do not wait for a second invitation. We gallop past the thousand elves ahead of us. Almost half an hour later we see Raven's Peak for the first time and Aedan and I halt simultaneously.

I have seen paintings of Raven's Peak in the books of our library, but they do not capture its stone-cold character. It is made of the dark stone of the surrounding landscape and was built in the middle of four mountains. Large walls between the mountains encave the city itself. The castle is on the largest of the four mountains, but it is barely discernible as it both rising from and built on the stone. It is a harmony of nature and the man-made, but it seems unnatural compared to Alachna City. Even though Raven's Peak is the coldest and most unforgiving place I have ever seen, I have the same feeling I have every time I see Alachna City: the feeling of coming home.

The first elves walk past us as I study the towers rising from each mountain top into the pale blue sky. Raven's Peak looks cold, but it also looks safe. I doubt any force could ever conquer the city. The walls have been impenetrable since the dawn of time. However, humans procreate at an alarming rate and the city has burst from its seams. New neighbourhoods stretch in all directions on the mountain slopes outside of the original city walls. A newer outer wall - flimsy compared to the original broad stonewall- has been built, but it is also surrounded by newly built houses and those under construction.

"I think we will look out of place with all our white horses and our blue clothes," Aedan whispers to me.

"I have never seen a place so without colour."

"Will we join Faolan and Elorhim?"

I know that we should, but I feel compelled to explore the city on my own first. This city calls to me.

Aedan looks at me, his eyes filled with mischief. "I know what you are thinking, Laelia of the family Darkwood."

"And I know that you are thinking exactly the same as I am."

"There should be another gate to the east."

I push Swift Wind into another gallop and Aedan follows me as the distance between us and the others grows.

We slow down when we are near the gate. I do not see the guards that should be posted at the gate. My guess is that they are slacking in their duties. The gate has a wide arch and is the height of about two horses. I know that it is one of the three smaller gates leading into the outer ring of the city. Our company will enter through the main gate.

We tie our horses to a pole just inside the city. I can't help but notice that the streets are quite empty. Aedan pulls me forward when he thinks that I am staring too much at the humans we encounter. At other times it is my turn to pull him forward. We find ourselves drawn to a market that captivates us with its difference from what we are used to.

I rush to the first stall. "Aedan, look!"

I pick up a loaf of bread and want to take a bite, but then I remember that humans have to pay for goods. "How much gold for the loaf?"

"Ten copper cents."

I take out a piece of gold. "I do not have copper, so you can keep the gold."

The old man blinks in astonishment and his bent back doubles over in a spontaneous bow. "My lady! Thank you! Thank you!" He reaches out to my hand and grabs it before I can pull it away. He kisses my hand.

My widened eyes observe him as I take a bite of the loaf. It tastes different from the bread that I know. I like the taste, but the bread is a bit stale.

After Aedan buys another loaf from the grateful man, we rush from stall to stall. We buy one of everything. The weight in our stomach grows and our arms grow full with new trinkets and other paraphernalia. When we have satiated our curiosity at the market we move deeper into the city.

After more than four hours I realise that we have to join our company again. "Aedan, in which direction do you think the castle is from here?"

I am not able to orientate myself. The streets wind and turn, confusing my sense of direction. "I am not sure at all, but I know how we can find out," I tell him as I walk to the nearest wall.

"Laelia, we can just ask and we need to get our horses."

"I know, but I really want to see the city from above."

"We will ask the prince to accompany us to one of the towers."

I sigh as we retrace our steps back to the market, and then back to the gate. At the same time, we freeze in our steps: the horses are not tied to the pole where we left them.

"Aedan, Faolan will crucify us."

Somewhere I once read that a few humans use crucifixion as a punishment. I also read that it is a slow and painful way to go. It is the first method of torture I can think of that Faolan would consider inflicting upon us.

"Elves do not use torture, but I think you are right. Faolan will make an exception for us." Aedan's face is whiter than a full moon.

"I will ask the guards if they have seen anything," Aedan tells me.

I nod and watch him walk to a rope ladder hanging from the tower at the gate. He climbs up and after a few minutes, he returns - paler than before.

"The guards did not see anything, but they think it is highly likely that our horses were stolen by thieves. We forgot that humans are not as honourable as elves." Aedan repeatedly tucks his silver strands of hair behind his ear.

"They also said that we will most probably not see our horses again. The thieves have an established business and will hide the horses successfully until they can be smuggled out of the city."

"Do the guards not check anyone leaving?"

"No, Raven's Peak has an 'open gate'-policy. Anyone and everyone is free to come and go as they please."

"We cannot return without our horses."

"I am aware of that."

We stare at each other.

"I would guess that our best option would be to find the thieves and take our horses back," I venture when a plan starts to form in my head.

"The humans in the filthiest part of Raven's Peak will be bound to know something - especially if we ask them with gold," Aedan continues my train of thought.

"And I am sure that you and I would be able to retrieve our horses, even if they threaten to harm us."

"And our relationship with the humans would not be harmed, even if they suffer any damage, because any complaint from their side would also be an admittance of guilt." He flashes me his special smile as his face lights up.

I am fond of the way you think, brother."

"If the Castle is in that direction," Aedan points in a direction, "my guess would be that the slums of the city would be in that direction." He points in the opposite direction with an even broader smile.

"I would have to agree."