Exiting the captain's quarters Arwin rushed to the port side to get a look below, he heard a bell ringing in the distance. There was a flurry of activity across the deck as the crew rushed to ensure if it came to a fight they would be prepared. Looking over the starboard side Arwin saw a city built into the side of the mountain itself with a large forest directly to the east. From what he can make out from the distance they had moved since noticing the city it appears that they are manning the walls.

 "tell Malstrax and Vyrlentess that it would probably be best if they didn't reveal themselves just yet. From what I read about our history before the Hell mouths opened then having even one dragon flying around would only cause more panic." Arwin ordered Ludolf turning to him. "and prepare the rest of the griffin knights it would probably be best if I went down with them as an escort to open dialogue with whoever is down there."

"Yes sir, do you want me to come as well?"

"No, I need you up here in case something else happens, also have the starboard side flight doors lowered probably best if we only use them till we know for a fact a fight won't break out."

  Ludolf saluted turned on his heel and marched off shouting orders as he went. Arwin turns and heads back to his desk to grab his coat and sword before he heads to the stables. Down in the griffin stables, he finds the flight door already lowered and the Knights who will be escorting him already starting to take to the air. Malstrax and Vyrlentess are sitting off to the side trying to stay out of the way without leaving the ship, though they both had put on their armor as if they were going to be joining them.

"Count Arwin are you sure you don't wish for me to accompany you?" Malstrax asks.

"Sorry captain but from the little, we have on our history before the Hell Mouths Dragons aren't common, and not seen in a very positive light. had we not suddenly arrived over their city like this and instead initiated contact as I had planned through outriders at least to start, I would bring you along."

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"I understand Sir we will wait."

  Arwin quickly mounted his Gryphon Storm Feather and took it to the air. The knights formed up behind him and they slowly descended to land just outside the main gate of the city. As they flew Arwin noticed that the defenders on the wall didn't appear to have any guns or cannons. No one shot at them as they came down, but Arwin could have cut the tension in the air with a knife. Landing with the 9 knights flanking him on either side Arwin takes a moment to breathe before raising his head, Arwin shouts up to the men on the walls.

"Hail I am Elector Count Arwin Franzson I represent the Taeldain Empire. I wish to formally apologize for any panic we have caused. We didn't know anyone lived so close to the mountains." He waits a couple of moments in hopes of getting a response. When he receives none he continues. "We came here in hopes of meeting and establishing positive relations with the peoples who live south of the mountains,"

  After a few minutes that seemed to drag on for an eternity of tense silence. Suddenly a single loud bell tolls, and then the gates begin to open and four men riding horses come out. The lead man has short brown hair blue eyes with a well-trimmed short beard. He is wearing simple plate armor with a red cloak, a sword in a scabbard at his side, and a shield on his back. the other men are all equipped with similar plate armor and weapons though with helmets obscuring their faces. The men stop a few meters away from Arwin and his escort, the griffins are unnerving the horses and probably their riders as well.

"Hail lord Arwin I am Captain Durwin of the Elmsdale city guard. I welcome you to our humble city unfortunately, our lord is away on important business. We will immediately dispatch a message informing him of both your arrival and why you are here." he turned to the man on his left and they exchanged whispers for a moment. " you must be tired after traveling over the World's Edge mountains we would invite you to stay in the city while we await our lord's response."

"Thank you Captain Durwin I would be honored to stay in your city." Arwin bows his head in thanks before turning to his right. "Please inform Captain Ludorf that we will be staying here for tonight at the very least and that I will see to arranging at the very least for our crew to be allowed some time on the ground after."

  The knight took off back to the ship. Captain Durwin motioned for Arwin to join him as he began walking his horse back through the gates.