Near the capital
After 12 hours on the coastal road.
Leem is driving the carriage, and the road is quiet. The sound of the carriage wheels echoes as they pass through a vast green meadow stretching out as far as the eye can see.
Leemti is sharpening some wooden branches with a small knife.
Kalira (with a curious look): What are you making, Leemti?
Leemti: I'm making arrows.
Kalira: Arrows!! Can you teach me?
Leem interrupts their conversation:
Leem: Do you even know how to hold a bow?
Kalira: No, but my sister Leemti will teach me. (She looks at Leemti with innocent eyes.)
Leemti: Alright, alright. I will. Just stop with those eyes.
Tourance: We've got a little trickster here.
They all laugh, and Kalira looks slightly annoyed at Tourance.
Two hours later...
The sun has set, and the roads are dark, only lit by the lantern at the front of the carriage.
Leem: We'll be there soon.
Leemti (looking at Leem): That's strange… We didn't run into any bandits today.
Leem: What, do you want to see them?
Leemti: That's not what I meant, but their absence might mean something is going on in the capital.
Leem: Come on, we're close.
The capital starts to appear in the distance—tall buildings, getting taller the closer they get, with lights illuminating the city even in the dark.
Kalira (eyes sparkling): It's so bright, even in the dark!
Leem: First time seeing something like this?
Leemti: All cities are like this.
Kalira: But Drakis becomes so dark after sunset.
Tourance: That city is a different story.
They draw closer and closer to the capital, arriving at the gate. A massive door, around 8 meters high and wide enough for 10 carriages to pass together. Statues of wolves on either side, and guards standing in front of it. There are three carriages ahead of them waiting to enter.
Kalira: What's going on? Why aren't they going in?
Leem: I think they don't have an entry permit.
Kalira: We don't have one either, right?
Leemti reaches into her bag and pulls out an old-looking paper.
Leemti: No, we do. Don't worry.
Kalira: How did you get it?
Leemti: We got it because we're travelers. But the other word is "adventurers."
Kalira: Reallyyy?! Adventurers?!
Leemti: Why are you so excited?
Kalira: I heard adventurers are so cool—they save people, kill monsters, and discover new places!
Leemti: That's true, but we're not that amazing. We just hunt monsters to stay alive and earn money.
Kalira: That's not true! You were awesome when you killed that spider!
Leem: Quiet, the carriages are moving.
The carriages in front start entering one by one. Then it's their turn.
Guard: What brings you to the capital?
Leemti gets down from the carriage.
Leemti (in a calm tone): We came to shop and get a few supplies.
Guard: Do you have a permit?
She reaches into her pocket and hands him the paper. The guard inspects it for a minute, then walks to another guard with it. After about two minutes, he returns.
Leemti: Is everything alright?
Guard: Yes, you may enter.
Leemti: Thank you.
She climbs back into the carriage, and Leem begins driving it slowly. Suddenly, they hear the guard's voice behind them:
Guard: Stop!
Leem (muttering): Damn it, what now?
Leem stops the carriage, and Leemti gets down.
Leemti: Is there a problem?
Guard: Nothing major. Just wanted to tell you one of your wheels looks like it might break.
Leemti looks at the carriage and sees the wheel is slightly cracked.
Leemti: Thank you. We'll get it fixed. We've been on the road a long time, so I guess it's wearing out.
Guard: You may go, just be careful.
She gets back in the carriage. A guard from a distance signals the other to open the gate. The gate is like a tunnel, with two guards at the entrance and another gate at the far end, a large iron one that lifts upwards. It begins to rise.
They enter the capital.
It's very bright, with voices everywhere:
Vendor: Fresh fish today for a cheap price!
Another vendor: Good quality fabric, 50 copper per meter!
Another vendor: Fresh fruits from the farms!
Noise fills the area, bustling with people.
Kalira (looking around, very excited): Leemti, what is all this? Why is it so busy at night?
Leemti: It's the capital, after all. People come from all over the continent.
Kalira: That's amazing!
Vendor: Grilled oysters for just 3 copper coins! Come get some!
Kalira: Leemti, can we get some?
Leemti: Let's go to the inn first, then we can come back in the morning. What do you think?
Kalira (pouting): Fine...
Leem: Kid, why don't you just shut up and sit down?
Many buildings surround them, each three stories or taller, filled with the smell of food everywhere.
Leem navigates between the buildings for a while, then the sounds fade, and houses start to appear.
Leem: Alright, we're here. This is the inn.
Leemti: That old lady's going to get excited again.
They park the carriage beside the inn, where there's a spot for carriages and a stable.
They all get out and head toward the inn. A four-story building with glass windows. A small wooden door, 2 meters high and 1.5 meters wide.
They open the door and enter. It's quiet, lit by lanterns. In front of them is a large hall with chairs in the center and a table in the corner.
Kalira: It's huge! Are we going to live here?
Leemti: Yes, just for one night. Tomorrow we head to the capital center, then to the castle to find that scamming merchant.
Leem: Now that we're here, I'm starting to not like this plan so much.
Leemti heads toward the table in the corner. A wooden table with a wooden board behind it mounted on the wall, with numbers and keys under each number. A small bell sits on the table. She presses the bell, and it rings.
A small door beside the stairs opens, and an old woman walks out.
Old woman: I haven't seen these faces in a long time!
Leem: Still alive, are you?
She walks to the table and sits on the other side.
Old woman: Still as rude as ever, you scoundrel.
Leem: Hoping for an early death?
Old woman: Show a little respect.
Old woman: And a new face with you. Who's this?
Leemti: This is Kalira, our new companion. Come on, Kalira, say hello. She's our grandma.
Kalira steps forward:
Kalira: Hello, Grandma Leemti.
The old woman looks at Kalira's shoulder and sees a bird.
Old woman: Is that bird… wait, that's impossible!
Leemti: Do you know it, Grandma?
Old woman: I must be mistaken. Just a simple bird.
Tourance: Excuse me, you old witch! Did you just call me, the great bird, a simple bird?!
Old woman: Wait! It talks? (looks at Kalira) Where did you get it?
Kalira: It lived on a hill in our town.
Old woman: Where are you from?
Kalira: Drakis.
Old woman: That city...
Leemti: That's enough, Grandma. We just need two rooms for the night. We're leaving in the morning.
Old woman: Rooms are expensive these days.
Leem: Asking for money from your grandchildren?
Old woman: Business is business.
Leemti: Alright, Grandma, just give us a discount, please.
Old woman: Fine. Two rooms for two silver coins.
Leemti: Come on, Grandma, make it one silver and 50 copper?
Old woman: In your dreams! Two silvers, or find somewhere else!
Leemti: Don't be like that, beautiful Grandma!
Old woman: Shut it, you little swindler! Not lowering it one bit!
Leemti: Fine, fine, I'll pay.
She pulls out her coin pouch and gives her two silver coins.
Leemti: Here you go.
The old woman takes the money, puts it in her pocket, turns around, grabs keys number 6 and 7 from the board, and hands them to Leemti.
To be continued...