“Please follow me,” the man Moira introduced as Guard Aaron kindly spoke, stepping away from the bridge. “The Enforcer is by the lakeshore.”

Midhir exchanged looks with Arwen before hurrying off to follow the young guard. He glanced over his shoulder as he left the plaza to see Willow and Alistair follow Captain Herbert. Relieved, he breathed out a quiet sigh of relief – he had met the Captain of the Guard a handful of times in the past and though it was years ago, he still feared he’d be recognised. Or perhaps he had been recognised, but Moira had made sure Captain Herbert would remain quiet about it. If that was the case, he was thankful to her.

The young guard led them through the narrow pass between the lake and the buildings, towards one of the few remaining natural shores.

Soon, a familiar figure entered his view, standing on the shore, her bare feet in the water. As they walked down the stairs that disappeared in the sand, Cait turned around with a faint smile on her lips.

“Took you two long enough,” she chuckled cheerfully, though that smile didn’t quiet reach her eyes. She brushed her fiery red hair back and stepped away from the water. “Thank you, Aaron, you may return to your post.”

“Yes, ma’am!” The guard bowed before running off.

“Enforcer,” Midhir bowed slightly, shooting a glance at Arwen.

The young woman narrowed her eyes as she bowed. “Arwen Maloid and Midhir Induen reporting for duty, Enforcer.” She nearly stumbled over her words.

Cait laughed. “No need to be so formal with me,” she waved her hand dismissively. “It’s my off day, so we’ll just be taking a tour of the city today. Unlike Lohssa and Bareon, An’Larion isn’t facing a crisis for your class to solve or assist with.” She turned back towards the lake glimmering under the sunlight. “Did you know that most enforcers graduated from Solus Military Academy?”

Arwen raised her eyebrows. “Really?” She asked with a surprised voice.

Cait nodded, her gaze still lingering over the lake. “Really. Most graduates find their way to An’Larion – they either join the military, or they become leaders in their respective fields. Or, like me, they become Enforcers. So, your principal wanted you to experience the city beforehand. Come on, I’ll take you to your lodgings first, then we’ll visit a few important places. I do have errands to run after all.” With that said, Cait walked away from the shore, put on her shoes, then headed up the stairs.

She first led them to the second district, where most of the city’s commerce took place. The streets were somewhat crowded with citizens going about their day. The lively streets here were a stark contrast to the empty plaza in front of the bridge leading to the Vermillion Keep.

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“You’ll be staying at the Red Tulip inn – it’s one of the establishments we often visit, and the owner is a Solus graduate as well.” Cait explained as they approached a two-storey building with an attached stable. She pushed the door open with a wide grin. “Aluna!” She shouted as soon as she stepped inside. “I bring you fledglings!”

“Fledglings?” Arwen leaned in closer to Midhir and whispered. “She’s a bit… not what I expected an Enforcer to be. She was different in Bareon.”

He couldn’t help but chuckle, but a second shout startled him.

“Cait you rascal!” A woman shouted back at the enforcer. “You still owe me for that keg of beer!”

His eyebrows rose as he glanced at Cait. “You didn’t drink a whole keg of beer, did you?”

Cait looked at him, offended. “I did not!” She exclaimed.

“No, you broke it over that guys head instead!” The innkeeper shouted as she walked out the kitchen. Her face was read with effort, her forehead was sweaty, and her torso was covered in what looked like flour. She wiped her hands to her apron, but all she did was stick even more flour to the back of her hand. Giving up with a sigh, she smirked. “So you two are the new first years!”

“Yes, ma’am, two other classmates will also come at some point, I think.” He bowed his head.

“Oh, don’t do that formality thing with me,” Aluna waved her hand in annoyance. “Your rooms are the first and second to the left, upstairs. Cait, show them, would you? I’m baking a cake.”

“Later,” Cait folded her arms. “We’ve got places to be, but I’ll come back this evening for some of that cake, ok?”

Aluna narrowed her eyes. “Only if you pay.”

“I thought you said most alumni join the miliary or become enforcers.” Arwen spoke up a while after they left the inn. “I wouldn’t say being an innkeeper is either of those.”

Cait shrugged. “Aluna may not be working in the military, but she’s still invaluable to us.” She waved her hand dismissively before pointing ahead. “The second district ends here,” she continued explaining, ignoring Arwen’s questioning gaze. “The first district is where most nobles reside,” She continued as they passed through the district. “On the other side of it is the seventh district – that’s where we’re headed.”

Midhir scowled. “The church district,” he stated as the cathedral entered their view.

The cathedral of the Sun and the Daughter took up most of the seventh district. It was a majestic, intimidating construction. Once a cathedral to the Old Faith, the now restored and changed building was one of the jewels of An’Larion – a great deal of history was preserved in its premises.

“The Grand Cathedral of the Sun and the Daughter is one of the oldest buildings in An’Larion.” Cait explained as they approached it from the south. In front of the large metal gazes was a wide, spacious plaza decorated with fountains, flowerbeds and statues of the faith. “It’s older than the city itself, some say even older than Eldoria.”

Midhir narrowed his eyes as his gaze turned to the cathedral beyond the metal gates. It was gigantic, and every surface was decorated with carvings or statues. While most of the details were lost to time, some were still visible.

“I don’t see the usual statues of the Sun and the Daughter.” Arwen mumbled with narrowed eyes.

“No, they were never there.” Cait shook her head. “This was once a cathedral to honour one of the oldest Old Gods – The Veilbound Leviathan.”