From afar it looked like Elmsdale was built upon the mountainside, once inside the city Arwin realized the various tiers of the city were carved out of the mountainside itself. The tiers of the city are connected through relatively thin ramps that go up along the sides of the various walls between tiers. Most buildings are made of wood with some of the largest and Arwin assumes the most important buildings are made from stone.

  After they were halfway through the second tier they encounter a sea of people coming out from where they had gone to shelter during the alarm. The people parted for Durwin, many stopped to stare at the strange guests he escorted. Arwin noticed most of the attention on the Sauran member of the knights who escorted him.

"I get the impression that your kingdom mainly if not exclusively deals with humans captain?" Arwin asked Durwin riding next to him.

"yes. there aren't any other races that live close enough for more than a few of their more adventurous individuals to travel through here."

  Arwin paused for a moment to think of what to say to cause minimal distress. "I am accompanied by two relatively young dragons and I am worried how your people will react to them. I can't ask them to stay cooped up in the ship for too long."

  Durwin stared at him for an uncomfortably long time. "You have dragons. Dragons who aren't violent monsters. Inside your flying ship?"

"yes, I am worried that this might cause err.. complications, but it was determined before I left that it was best to have all members of our empire represented."

  Durwin closed his eyes and took a deep breath and held it for a moment before slowly breathing out. He then turned back to Arwin. "It would probably be best if they didn't enter the city. I won't try and stop them if they need to fly for any reason, it would be greatly appreciated if I am informed ahead of time."

"I will see to it that you are."

"so, what might this other race you mentioned be?"

"they're the Vermkin, They are best described as rat men."

  They continue the rest of the journey to the impressively large castle at the top of the city in silence. Only broken up by the occasional piece of small talk from the knights and guards riding with them.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  The road to the main entrance of the iron gates in front of the castle is flanked by massive gardens on both sides with bright; red, blue, yellow, and white flowers arranged in various patterns. Pathways through the gardens allow people to walk throw the veritable fields of flowers to enjoy their beauty. Entering the Castle grounds Arwin sees a large Hedge with roses on the right blocking all but the roof of some wooden structure a ways behind it. On the left a stone path down the middle of a neatly cut grass lawn, eventually leading around to the back side of the keep.

  The front of the keep is made of white stone with a large circular window split into sections by silver metal above the large wooden double doors leading inside. The stairs leading up to the doors are made from the same stone but with a piece of rounded metal along the edge of each step. The doors appear to be made from very dark wood with an intricate pattern carved into the face of the doors and inlaid with gold. Other windows of varying shapes and sizes but all with similar silver dividers along the front of the keep appeared to allow light into various rooms.

  Durwin stops halfway up to the front door and motions to stop. "The stables are around the right side. They are for horses so I don't know if your..."

"Griffins" Arwin interjects.

"If your Griffins will be comfortable within them but they are all we have available."

"The offer is greatly appreciated however, we anticipated having to keep them in the stables upon my ship for the entire journey and all we require is your permission to fly over the city back to the ship." Durwin looks genuinely relieved upon hearing that.

"I should assume that the representative of the other races you mentioned earlier would also be joining you in the talks?"

"Yes they shall and it would be best if they are all eventually allowed to stay in the same place as myself."

  Durwin nods "I imagined as much however we will require permission from lord Edward Silverwolf ruler of the city before we can allow the dragons inside the walls. "

  Arwin nod and turns to address the knights escorting him but is stunned by the view of the city and surrounding lands that awaited him. Smirking Durwin dismounts and lets the servant that has approached lead his horse around to the stables.

"Would it be alright if we started flying some things and people from the ship directly here? once that is done the knights will retire for the knight." Arwin asks turning to Durwin.

"That would be fine if how many people will be joining you I will see to arranging rooms for you in the meantime."

"I will be having the other 3 representatives as well as several members of their respective entourages and some guards from off the ship."

  Durwin nods and orders the guards who had been escorting them to inform the rest of the guards of what they had discussed. Then turns on his heel and heads into the keep. Arwin turns and takes off back to the Amatar's Spear followed by the rest of the knights.