It was surprising how much I
enjoyed being back on the road.
Sure, instead of the rough
terrain or spooky forest we'd traveled through before, this well
paved road passed farmland. Those we encountered were farmers and the
like, not dangerous creatures.
There was a warm breeze, and
my cloak swayed, Smoky's tendrils giving the cloth a smoldering
appearance. So far, the guise seemed to be working. Brend had shown
some interest in the cloak, and Callan had laughed about how it added
to my appearance of being a fierce warrior. But that was all.
"What are they growing?" I asked Brend, motioning toward the farmland.
"All sorts of produce, and
there are some ranches nearby as well." He said, and I spent the
next few hours listening to his lecture on the local flora and fauna,
and how a wizard's magic could be used to improve both.
So went the next week. Our
journey was uneventful, other than some pleasant culinary experiments
with the foods I was unfamiliar with.
When the capital came into
view, I stopped to stare. Midday sun glinted off golden walls, and
high towers spiraled into the sky. At the highest point, a stately
palace governed over all; its brilliance making all the other elegant
buildings seem like ramshackle shacks.
Callan slapped my shoulder. "Ain't she a beauty?"
I couldn't respond. This was
the kind of place you found in fairy tales. Despite the monsters and
magic I'd seen, I'd expected the capital to be like the simple
village and the busy town.
Home to unusual things, yet
still somewhat normal.
"How will we find one
wizard in there?" I asked, forcing myself to look away from the
dazzling city.
"Each wizard's magic has a
distinct feel." Brend said as he stopped at my other side, shifting
his staff from one hand to the other. "Once we're in the city, I
should be able to use a locator spell to guide us to whoever hijacked
my spell."
Turning back to face the
capital, I drew in a deep breath. Soon, I'd know why I had been
dragged into this world.
"Then what are we waiting
for? Let's go."
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