After a long journey, the carriage stopped gently, and the soft squeak of its wheels forced me to open my eyes. I felt the vehicle descend slightly under its own weight as it came to a halt. Out of curiosity, I looked out the window and finally saw it.
In front of me stood the gates of the imperial capital.
Having them in front of me was a truly unique experience. Not only were they enormous, but they were also beautifully adorned with carved reliefs in the shape of an eagle representing the royal family.
No one needed to help me out of the carriage to verify my identity. As soon as the guards at the entrance recognised the lion emblem engraved on the side of the vehicle, they exchanged brief glances and gave the order to open the gates without a single word of doubt.
The heavy gates opened with a low rumble, and the carriage resumed its journey.
Once inside, the scenery changed drastically.
