It was said that Perlshaw was build on top of a traveling island. Legends say that once upon a time the whole of Perlshaw traveled the seas itself and provided food and firm foothold for the great voyage.

Perlshaw buildings are made by incorporating the trees raised by the Elben to form the foundation and the form of the buildings. The roots itself were enough to tide disasters while the beams and branches acted as the supporting frame, forming the shape and form of the building.

At the center of the City is the tower of spring. A tower that seemed to have been a giant tree reinforced with concrete and stone to protect it from the elements. The uphill city was surrounded with water as the spring tower continuously produces spring water which flows to the canals and aqueducts of the city.

Automobiles crowd the city and yet the smell of nature overpowers your senses. The roads are made of cobblestone and was clean without almost no trash to be seen. Strict laws have been made to keep streets clean and they are followed to the letter as the road tenders keep it that way.

Although most of the houses were made in strange wood and stone. There are some parts of the city which are made through normal means. You could tell which ones are made by the Elben and which ones are made by humans through a casual examination.

Elben-made housing imitates the appearance of nature and seems to be more about how a tree would look, while human-made housing prefers the comfort of the people living on it.

The city itself was this organism with buildings and shapes that seems to mingle with the weather. The sheer size of the city alone reminded him of superstructures back in his previous life. Like a small mountain made into a city and people started growing trees where they made their houses so they could settle on it.

One part of the city was this forest made out of hollowed out trees in which the crisscrossing sky bridges are made entirely of strong, thick, and very firm roots in which the people cross.

On on the ground you could see the vehicles, the vitae walkers from the elite guards of the city who seemed to have been fused to their living armors. Ten feet tall, carrying scaled weapons to match their sizes and are extremely pleasing to the eyes.

The roads are also decorated with plant bulbs which seem to light even the darkest alley. Milo had heard of the beauty of the city when night came and he couldn’t wait to see it.

The deeper you go inside the city. The more strange and archaic the place becomes. Although the years have somewhat changed the appearances of these houses and buildings as age passes and goes. The aesthetic in which they were made paints a picture of a thought far too different from the usual sense of style a human has. You could stare at one of the buildings and still do not understand why there was need for such style, and yet despite that its interior were livable..

If people from his world were to see the city miles away. They’d question if it’s an abandoned city with giant trees growing in the middle of the city. Perlshaw, although having grown into an urban city, seemed to refuse to abandon its roots. The newer districts, the ones made outside of the water forming around the interior city, seemed to adapt to a more human approach in building. Milo, throughout the travels he had done in the last five years had truly come to realize he preferred the way they build here. It felt natural. Like they were trying to stay close to nature as possible while adapting conveniences which made their life better.

It also felt beautiful and pleasing to look at compared to the monotonous concrete, steel, and glass jungles he had grown up to back in his previous life. Instead of pollution covering the city with its acrid and horrendous smell. He prefers warm winds and the smell of grass. The floral scent you can smell in the city was magical.

On the roof of the city you can even find places for the sprites in which they gather during specific times and welcome newcomers as if judging them.

As Milo rode a carriage pulled by a long-faced creature. He saw the sprites circle around him and tug on his tie playfully before flying away. Up in the skies, Milo saw an airship flying to the platform where the sky-fairing ships usually land. A large platform that seemed to house every sky-fairing ship visiting the city. Shaped like a giant bee comb and supported by large roots extending like an arch to the western side of the city. Underneath the platform were the ships from afar, sailing the dangerous oceans of this world.

Unlike the world he was living in. Creatures of the seas here were large and aggressive and any seaworthy vessels were equipped with armor and weapons. To enter the city’s port, every ship had to pass through this sea line where they have a method in which the ships are checked.

Although the ships on the water are somewhat intimidating to look at with all the scars they have sustained from travel. They brought this presence to the waters which made Milo wonder how confident this city was in handling ships going in and out. Of course, he could guess the canons installed were not for show and he had heard there was a giant net that stopped ships from entering if they raised it.

Milo also saw biplanes gliding above the city. Leaving a trail of smoke as they follow airships and escort them to the landing area where most of them were being placed.

As the carriage Milo was riding ascended to the interior of the city, he finally saw the ocean, glistening with this glow that seemed to invite anyone into its world. Many-hued corals and strange formations are present which seems to suggest that beneath this crystal-clear water lies another world. The water was so clean and there seemed to be a line separating the water from the spring and the ocean.

Particolored sails of smaller vessels dot this line. Milo always finds himself awed and struck by the views he sees. And in this ancient capital, he thought if this very view would affect the minds of the various leaders coming to talk.

Maybe they’ll understand what they’d lose. Perlshaw is beautiful, but what made this place so holy to the Mence was what it symbolized.

It symbolized the strength of the races who had survived the great trials of the voyage, and what they could do if they worked together.

***

Every city and town representative had been allocated with places to stay. Milo escorted the Mayor and his wife as they walked the cobble paths of the city. They were inside the inner parts of the city and yet the spring tower still looked as tall.

On this certain path Milo was walking with the Mayor and his wife, he observed the many flags flying against the wind. Multi-colored and designed to represent the city and town they were living in.

Milo’s gaze however was attracted to the somewhat mechanical design of one of the flags. In the middle of the flag was a giant holding this cog and behind this giant were picks and hammers.

Past the streets full of flags was another place that seemed to be full of many well-dressed and high-ranking members of society who had taken this place as theirs. As magical as the city was to look, the divide between those who have riches and those who have less are still clear as day.

But even these people couldn’t flaunt their wealth too much in front of the spring tower, fearing the Elben would find them annoying.

The Elben are descendants of the Elven-kin from the great voyages and unlike their ancestors, had human-like features and yet still possess the variegated color of hair their ancestors had.

Milo had heard a joke in his travels that you can guess if one was an elven by the length of their ears. The Elben however, have been masters of the Mence as far people know. These families hold somewhat a firm hand on places in industries and businesses which gives them a say. And the only ones who could match them in terms of influence was an Elven.

The sight of an elven-kin was somewhat rare after the great voyage was over.

Legends say that after their mission. They continued to sail the broken world and were welcomed by their ancestors to a hidden land cloaked in the magic that protects them. The Elben, who could not leave the people behind, chose to stay with them and help rebuild. Using their powers to build cities and maintain the vitae.

Even Milo sometimes couldn’t help to refer to the Elben as the Elven-kin simply because he hadn’t seen an actual one yet. If rumors are true however, he’ll be able to see an actual Elven-kin, a true pure elf that has walked this world far longer than any living creature in this thousand islands. The Elven are neutral, but once in a while they would appear to the world to provide input, to steer humanity and sometimes listen and let them decide.

The Elven-kin are few and because of their duty to their own crafts and studies, they forget about their kin sometimes. They let them rule and live as they please. Maybe they believe they have done their duties well after the last great voyage and and had ruled it was humanity’s turn to choose and decide for themselves without their interference.

Milo would have to wait and see what they decide too. He was simply a representative of his parish community, but it didn't mean he can slack off from the responsibility given to him.

The Mayor and his wife led Milo to one of the famed restaurants of the city. This one in particular was called the skylight flower restaurant, built at the edges of the city, overlooking the cityscape and has a wonderful view of the water line separating the spring water and the ocean.

“I feel like I am your son, Mayor!” Milo jest, as he sat down on the side. “But I must ask why none of your children are here with you.”

Mrs. Rieta sighed. “I question that myself. Nonetheless, Milo. It seems they prefer to live their lives and forget about their dearest mother. They kept to themselves and can’t be bothered to write at least a letter.”

“Now, Dear,” Mayor Solra cuts in. “You do know our eldest is busy with his business while our youngest is still somewhere.”

“Which worries me!” Mrs. Rieta protested. “Surely, they must have some time to write.”

Milo accepted the menu. “Do they at least visit at the end of the year?”

“Mostly. Still, it can’t be helped to worry about them,” Mrs. Rieta looked at the ocean with worry in her eyes. Maybe she was extra worried with how things are.

The prospect of war was intimidating and although Milo had heard and learned of small campaigns happening over the thousand islands and local disputes in the past years of travel. If war comes to the Mence, then it will affect everyone and one way or another, alliances and enemies will be formed.

“Please you two,” Mayor Solra said a bit louder for them to hear. “It’s best if we put these thoughts on the back of our heads for now. We’ve traveled miles and have come to this city for that business alone. However, for now, let’s ease our mind and relax. Because believe me, once this day’s done, you’ll have the next few days to talk with visitors and be sick of drinking tea and coffee!”

“Ugh, you’re right, my dear,” Mrs. Rieta agreed. “Once this whole fiasco starts, we’d barely have time to rest.” She turned to Milo. “I wonder if you’ll be participating in the discussions, Doctor?”

“That depends,” Milo leaned back. “I will find it annoying, but as a representative of the parish I am grateful to. I can’t let them lose face. But as you said, Mayor,” he softened his tone. “It’s best if we leave the troubles of tomorrow for tomorrow.”

“Indeed! That is correct!” Mayor Solra agreed. “This will be different this time… many will be confused and we’ll have to decide what’s best for our community and hope it’ll be alright in the end… so we need to have rested well to face the troubles of tomorrow…”

The tone the Mayor had was somewhat worrying. It was the tone expecting exhaustion. But Milo decided to ignore it for now and let it slide. At the moment, Milo wanted to enjoy the views and savor the food. Because after this day ends, he’ll have to worry about the prospect of war and what it’ll bring to the Mence.