Riding with this Lady Anhara was predictably dull.

Any conversations that would help to pass the time would only be confusing for all sides involved, since we can’t exactly communicate what we mean effectively. Besides, even if we could understand each other, I don’t think this group of people would be…talkative, per say.

For one, this Anhara person seems to be mute, and her guards were well on their way to following in her footsteps.

Luckily, since that other guard from before had departed, I had a horse to ride. I think that guard had gone to inform the rest of whatever group these guys had come from that they had left. From what I can gather, Anhara seems like a fairly important person, and I imagine that a few people would be very concerned and distraught, were she to leave without any notice.

On that same line of thought, I wonder what’s going on at the summit right now? 

I mean, technically, I am fairly important. My disappearance probably caused some waves among the summit leaders, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the summit were to be suspended until either I were found, or the perpetrator caught.

In my opinion, though, the summit should continue. I don’t even care if I’m there or not, but the very act of gathering all the most powerful people on the continents is essential as a bulwark against any future incursions we might face. It’s too important a task to stop, just because a few people went missing. They can mount an investigation off to the side, quietly taking care of the problem, but any more that is simply folly. Hopefully, they'll be able to find me without much of a fuss.

As some would say, the show must go on.

Well, it’s been a few weeks for them since I disappeared, so they should have taken any actions already. All my conjecture and theorizing is already in the past, as far as actual events are concerned.

As for what is happening right now, we seem to be exiting the forest.

It somewhat pissed me off, actually.

It was a feeling of—the exit was so close?

We just traveled a few kilometers, and boom, the tree line had ended, and we were now traveling on a paved road, rather than the deer trails that were prevalent in those woods. Interestingly, the woods have a fortified entrance and exit, with what looks like a toll booth manned by a few dozen soldiers wearing suits of armor. There was also a stone wall stretching a-ways away, encompassing the forest. 

I had a minor feeling of disbelief when I saw the wall, and the trees poking overhead. That wall was much too small to contain a forest in which I had wandered for nearly three weeks. I mean, I can’t see the entire thing, but I can see the ends. It doesn’t stretch on for nearly as long as I would have imagined it. How the hell did I ever get lost in there? 

And then, the road before us…

It led to a city.

Though, simply calling it a city would be a gross injustice. If the beastmen themselves hadn’t already clued me in, then seeing this would absolutely bring me to the conclusion that I was no longer on the continents.

For one, such a sprawling metropolis couldn’t exist there.

The whole thing seemed to be built on a hill, so that the center of the city, and the majestic buildings placed upon it overlooked the entire city, and could be seen from outside of it as well. I could see the barest hints of a wide street winding its way around the city, before finally ending at the top of that hill. Even from here, I could see the brightly colored clothes all around the city, and hear the sounds of laughter and merrymaking.

Interposed among the colorful buildings stood the occasional weathered wall or pillar, showing that this city holds a deep history underneath it’s youthful vibrancy. In addition, a few of those buildings at the top of the hill look archaic, in a way. Much like those other buildings I had found at the bottom of that labyrinth with the lich.   

It was odd, really. This city gives me such conflicting feelings—it feels old and new, joyful and somber, or bright and dingy all at the same time. It’s a feeling only the oldest and most established of cities can pull off.

I turned to the most experienced looking guard, and pointed at the city. That, along with a few hand gestures resembling a round of makeshift charades, got him to understand what it was I wanted to ask.

That was how I figured out the city was named Calcatan.

After that, though, the ride was spent in the same silence as before. It would have been completely boring, if it weren’t for the fact that there was a massive city to watch as we drew closer. 

From what I could see, there were quite a few different marketplaces inside the city. I made a mental note to check them out sometime in the future. You can learn a lot about a country from how it’s people interact in a market. 

Even more than that, was the fact that I enjoyed the feeling of walking in places like that, where the crush of people can hide anything remarkable about yourself, and you feel almost…normal for once.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not resenting the fact that I’m exceptional, or that I get to live, even after dying. Nor do I dislike how I look, or act. I just think that everybody needs a break from themselves every once and a while.

And, I would certainly need such a break in the near future, with what I’ve gone through lately, and what I’ll be going through soon.

I’m not an idiot. I don’t know who this Lady Anhara is, or what sort of position she holds, but I do know that she has some influence. Anybody with influence has strings attached to them, in some way. I foresee trouble in my future…  

Actually, the first hint of it came when we reached the city gates.

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Unlike the people standing guard outside of that forest, the guards posted at the city gates wore simple and stark uniforms, with the occasional steel breastplate.

I was surprised to see the steel, though. On the continents, iron was normally used for armor construction, since steel was too expensive, and used primarily in swords. And, lowly city guards would normally wear leather armor, which had been cobbled together through that guard’s own efforts.

The guards here were treated much better, if the uniforms and steel were any indication. Or rather, this place might be over-endowed, resource wise.

One or the other, this only served to prove again, that I certainly wasn’t on the continents anymore.

Though, the most notable thing I got from these guards wasn’t that their city was well off, but how they acted.

Let me put it this way—I knew there would be trouble heading my way when they bowed down at the sight of our group. Or, at the sight of Anhara.

A few words were murmured from the lips of every guard present—the same words from each of them.

It looks like Anhara was more important than I had reckoned for, if gate guards were able to identify her based on sight alone, and treated her with such courtesy. They didn’t even look at the rest of our little group, simply letting us pass. If they had noticed anything odd about me, then they didn’t say anything, or act particularly alarmed.

That might be a happy bonus, though. Traveling with a high ranked person let me enter the city, no questions asked. My demonic heritage would have kept me out, answering questions for some time, before I would have been able to enter Calcatan. The horns aren’t exactly subtle.

And Demons aren’t exactly loved. It’s a bit of a sad trend really, where the demonic races are the most vilified. I’ve yet to see a world where they are treated well by the other races. 

Which leads me to another thought—Why haven’t I been attacked yet?

Nope, never mind. I’m just going to be happy it hasn’t happened so far. I’m not going to jinx this situation through depressive thinking.

I’m sure I’ll find out soon enough.

Unexpectedly, we began following that wide street that snaked it’s way to the very height of the city. It was clear of any stalls that would hamper the flow of traffic, and seemed oddly empty for it’s size. It was well paved, too, with drains every dozen meters or so. However, there was virtually no foot traffic on this street, as it was mainly populated by carriages and horses like our own. Posh shops lined the street, selling anything from gemstones to finely tailored clothing. Sometimes both in one shop.

I’m guessing that this street is strictly for the nobility, just as the hill must be for them as well, with all the manors sitting upon it’s land.

Well, everything we passed was impressive, and elegant in every way, but there was one glaring flaw I could see.

This wasn’t Calcatan.

What I was traveling through was a façade, made to cater to the sensibilities of the resident nobility. This wasn’t the essence of the actual city, nor were these other nobles I could see around me truly living in Calcatan. I doubted they ever saw the actual people they ruled over here.

That was one of the reasons I had set up shop in the slums so long ago—So that pampered little noble brats would have to slog through the muck of the city, and see what it was they were truly lording over. I didn’t really expect any of them to change anything, but it was satisfying to know that they could no longer claim ignorance about the conditions in the city. Also, it might influence their decisions in the future, even if that influence were to be minimal.

Thus, I saw the beautiful shops around me with a jaded eye, and didn’t take them at face value. Like I said, the true character of a city can only be found with the people living in it.

Though, I will admit it was pleasant to travel through the heart of the city without having to worry about foot traffic. To me, it felt like we made it to the hill, and the majestic and stately manors atop it in record time.

I was a little disappointed that I hadn’t been able to ask any questions about the city, or what to expect soon. I might end up needing to learn the language spoken here, after all. I’ll hold off on it for a little while, since it’s not my first priority.

No, I think my first priority would be to feel out my current situation in greater depth, as well as find out just what sort of status Anhara holds. I’m really starting to think that she holds more than just a minor noble title. After all, we’ve passed the small manors, and the medium ones. The only ones left are the truly gargantuan ones. And, the building at the very apex of this hill.

Then, we passed those last manors.

And, new to this city I might be, but I still recognize a palace when I see one. Especially when it takes pains to appear as grand and imposing as possible, like this one had. Truly, this is a building fit for kings and emperors. Which leaves the question;

What and who are you, Anhara, to be able to enter this place?

 I mean, I already know she's someone special from the looks she's gotten, and how she's been treated. But I didn't dare to think she would be this important.

But, even more than that, I'd like to know why she's helping me, someone she just met after finding me covered in blood, and gorging on a bear.

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Author's Note:

Sorry for going MIA for that long. 

There'll be another chapter tomorrow, after which things will be back to normal, holding to my mostly daily postings. 

—River.