Free Web NovelChapter 34: Great Rock City (2)
A gigantic white rock rose from the heart of the city like the tooth of a giant. It was not a hill, but a pure rock formation, smooth and brilliant, reflecting the light of the setting sun like a mirror. It had to be at least a hundred meters tall, perhaps more. They said the founders of the city had built around it because of the natural protection it offered, an impregnable stronghold in case of invasion.
Upon the rock, elegant stone and wooden structures were stacked in layers, connected by suspended bridges and stairways carved directly into the stone itself. The houses became more beautiful the higher one climbed, and at the top stood imposing mansions with hanging gardens and glass balconies.
At the highest point of the rock, an imposing castle dominated the landscape.
Pointed towers rose like stone fingers reaching toward the sky. Enormous banners fluttered at the top, and now Lukas could see the symbol. A golden eagle with its wings spread wide, the emblem of Count Hark’s family. Stained-glass windows gleamed beneath the setting sun, reflecting light into rainbows that danced across the stone walls.
"It’s... enormous." Lukas murmured, pressed against the window, his nose almost touching the glass. His violet eyes were wide, shining with the light of the setting sun.
"It’s bigger than I imagined. Much bigger."
Aurora laughed softly when she saw her son’s expression, a mixture of admiration, amazement, and pure excitement. Judite also moved closer to the window, pressing her face against the glass beside her brother.
"Beautiful, isn’t it?" Judite said proudly, as if she had built the city herself.
"I’ve been here once before, when I was younger. But I don’t remember much."
"Welcome to Great Rock City, my love." Aurora said, running a hand through Lukas’s white hair.
"It’s the largest city near our territory. We still have some influence here, though not directly. Count Hark is the one who rules this place. We merely... visit."
"Why don’t we live here, Mother?" Judite asked, wrinkling her nose.
"It’s so beautiful. More beautiful than the manor."
Aurora laughed.
"Because the manor is ours, my love. It has been the home of the Dmond family for generations. The city is beautiful, but the manor is ours. We wouldn’t trade one for the other."
Lukas understood. In a way, it was pride. Tradition and roots.
The Dmond carriage did not need to wait in line.
As soon as they approached the gate, one of the guards recognized the crest on the carriage door, the Three-Tailed Wolf embroidered in silver on a dark blue background. His eyes widened slightly, and he signaled to the other guards.
"Make way!" he announced loudly.
"It’s the Dmond family!"
The line of travelers parted, some looking on with curiosity, others with respect. Lukas saw farmers remove their hats, merchants bow their heads, and children point with their fingers.
’Being a noble has its advantages.’ Lukas thought.
’Clear advantages that I’m still not entirely familiar with.’
The coachman cracked the whip, and the carriage passed through the gate without being searched. The guards saluted respectfully, their spears raised in greeting.
Inside the walls, the city revealed itself in all its glory.
The streets were wide and paved with uneven cobblestones, clean and well maintained. Stone and wooden buildings lined both sides, with red-tiled roofs and wrought-iron balconies. Painted signs swayed above the doors, advertising establishments with symbols and golden letters.
People from every social class walked the streets, the wealthy dressed in silk and velvet, merchants in practical robes with bulging coin pouches, artisans in aprons stained with paint and leather, and peasants in simple linen clothing.
Children ran between the legs of adults, laughing and shouting as they chased a stray dog barking excitedly.
The smell of the city was overwhelming, a mixture of fresh bread coming from bakeries, meat roasting on spits in taverns, flowers being sold in colorful stalls, and tanned leather from armor shops. It was also the unmistakable scent of many people living in the same place.
"That’s the Central Market." Aurora pointed out as the carriage turned onto a busier street.
"They sell everything there. Fabrics, spices, weapons, potions, books, animals..."
Lukas stretched his neck to see. The Central Market was a massive square surrounded by wooden stalls and colorful fabric tents. Hundreds of people crowded between them, bargaining, shouting offers, laughing, and arguing. The noise was deafening, a chaotic symphony of voices, animals, clinking coins, and goods being handled.
’I want to go there.’ Lukas thought, his eyes shining.
’I want to go there right now.’
"That tall tower is the Temple of Eternal Light." Aurora continued, pointing toward an imposing structure at the end of the main street. The tower was white, with colorful stained-glass windows gleaming beneath the setting sun, and a golden statue at its summit, a female figure with open wings and outstretched arms.
"It’s where people go to pray to the old and new gods. They say the blessings there are powerful."
"That’s one of the Martial Arts Academies." Aurora pointed.
"It’s a smaller academy where many young people begin their studies before trying for the Royal Academy of Rhyne. Of course, neither Asmon, nor Judite, nor you will need to attend, since Clavor will teach you personally."
Lukas absorbed every detail, his eyes glowing. freёwebnoѵel.com
He wanted to explore every street, every alley, and every shop. He wanted to smell every stall, hear the stories of every vendor, and touch the products of every artisan.
"Mother..." he called, turning on the seat to face Aurora. His violet eyes were pleading, almost begging.
"After Judite’s Awakening, can we walk around the city? Can we go to the market? Can we explore?"
Aurora thought for a moment, biting her lower lip, a gesture Lukas already knew well, the gesture she made whenever she was considering something.
"Well..." she said slowly.
"Judite’s Awakening will be tomorrow morning. It only takes a few hours. After that, we have the rest of the day free..."
She looked at Lukas, and her eyes softened when she saw the hopeful expression on her son’s face.
"Yes. We’ll do some shopping together. But you do not leave my side, understood? The city is large, and you’re still very small. Getting lost here would be disastrous."
"Understood!" Lukas replied, his voice so excited that it came out almost as a shout.
