The cart rattled and bumped as it reached the peak of the final hill. Darian shaded his eyes against the midday sun, his heart leaping into his throat at the sight before him. Arbrook. The city walls loomed like stone giants, dwarfing anything he'd ever seen in Brookhaven.

"Quite the sight, ain't it lad?" Breck chuckled at Darian's slack-jawed wonder. "Told ya it was impressive."

"It's... I mean..." Darian shook his head, grasping for words. "I never thought buildings could be so big!"

“Just wait 'til you see the markets. Goods from every corner of the realm, strange scents and stranger folk."

"I can't wait! What's the first thing we'll do when we get there? Will we-"

A sharp whistle cut him off. Armoured men stepped into the road ahead, hands on sword hilts. City guards.

Breck reined the horse to a halt. "Easy there," he said softly, as much to Darian as to the steed.

One of the guards, a burly fellow with a bushy moustache, swaggered up to the cart. "Well now, what have we here? Country bumpkins come to see the big city?"

"Name's Breck, blacksmith from Brookhaven. Got an appointment with the armoury." Breck ignored the dig as he handed over a roll of parchment. "And the boy's here for the academy exams."

"That so?" The guard looked them over, lingering on the bandage bulging beneath Darian's sleeve. "Awful long way. Hope it's worth the... effort."

Something in the man's tone made Darian bristle. He's mocking us. He bit his tongue to keep from snapping back.

“That'll be two silvers for the toll."

Breck frowned. "Last year it was only one."

The guard smirked. "Price has gone up. Baron's orders. You got a problem with that?"

"It’s the examination season?" Darian blurted, unable to stop himself. "Entrance is free this week. It's the law!"

The guard swung his gaze to Darian, eyes narrowing. "Listen here, boy-"

"Hold, solider." A second guard stepped up, an older man with a neatly trimmed beard. He looked at Breck, head tilted. "Breck, is that you? Been an age!"

Breck squinted, then broke into a wide grin. "Danith, you old dog! What are you doing so far from home?"

"Got stationed here last spring. Never thought I'd see your ugly mug come rolling up." The bearded guard clasped Breck's forearm in a warrior's grip. "Still keeping that forge at Brookhaven?"

"Aye, though times are lean. Hoping to sell a bit of my craft, mayhap drum up trade."

"Well, you picked a good time to come," Danith said. "The city's bustling with the exams about to start." He leaned in closer, his voice dropping. "The army keeps me busy, but it's good to see a friendly face from the old days."

Darian's ears perked up. He never knew Breck had been in the army. But with how the blacksmith handled all those bandits by himself, it now made sense.

Danith straightened up and nodded. "Well, you'll have no trouble from us." He cut a quelling glance at the other guard. "The gate's open to all during the exams. King's law, as the lad said."

The burly guard grumbled but stepped back, waving them on. "Get moving then. And don't go causing any trouble in the streets."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Breck said with a wink. He snapped the reins and the cart lurched forward. "Take care, Danith. Maybe we can catch up properly over an ale sometime."

"I'd like that," Danith said, raising a hand in farewell. "Good luck to you, Breck. And to you, young man," he added, nodding at Darian. "Give those exams hell."

Darian caught a final glower from the corrupt guard before they passed under the great stone arch of the gatehouse, the city swallowing them whole.

Beyond the gate, Arbrook spread out before them in a riot of colour and noise. The air rang with a hundred voices, hawking wares and gossiping. The streets were rivers of people, all flowing to and fro on errands of business or pleasure.

So many people. So many buildings. Darian craned his neck, trying to take it all in. The tallest structures in Brookhaven were three stories at best. Here, some of the houses scraped six or seven!

"Eyes in your head, lad," Breck chuckled. "Else they'll roll right out."

Darian snapped his gaping mouth shut. "I've just... I've never seen so much... everything."

"Aye, 'tis a fair bit grander than our humble hamlet." Breck guided the cart down a wide boulevard, wheels clattering on the cobbles. "But don't be fooled by the gilt and glitter. Cities have their own set of fangs, lurking in the shadows."

The wide boulevards made him feel exposed, Darian's hunting instincts screamed danger. So many strangers, any one of them a potential threat...

Stop it, he scolded himself. This isn't the woods. No bandits lurk here.

Though pickpockets probably did. He touched the purse at his belt, making sure it was secure. All their hopes rode on the coin it held.

Breck guided the cart, seeming to know just where he was going. Before long they pulled up outside a large wooden building, a Dancing Dragon Inn sign swinging above the door.

"Here we are." Breck set the brake and hopped down. "Warm beds and hot meals. And close enough to the exam grounds so you won’t get lost." He started unloading their packs.

Darian scrambled to help, butterflies stirring in his stomach. The exams. In just three days, his future would be decided...

Breck caught his look and smiled. "Chin up, lad. You'll do fine. But no sense fretting yet." He shouldered his bundle and jerked his head at the inn door. "Let's get settled in, then we'll go 'round the city a bit. Get you oriented."

"Yes, let's!" Darian grabbed his bag, excitement bubbling up again. A whole city to explore!

The innkeeper was a jovial woman who greeted Breck like an old friend. In short order they had a snug room and a warm meal in their bellies. As the afternoon lengthened, Breck stood and stretched.

"I'm off to see a man about a pig." He winked at Darian's quizzical look. "Figure of speech. There's an old trader I know, wants to talk business. You can come along, or..."

"Or?" Darian perked up. Please say I can go off alone, please...

Breck huffed a laugh. "Or you can go poke around on your own a spell. Just don't wander too far, and be back by-"

"Sundown, I know!" Darian bounced up, barely able to contain himself. "I'll be careful, I promise. Ma told me you're in charge."

"That I am. So, mind you don't get lost! City's got a way of turning around on you." But Breck was smiling. "Go on, then. I'll meet you back here come evening."

"Thank you!" Darian darted for the door before the blacksmith could change his mind. Then he paused, looking back. "Truly, Breck. For everything. I don't know how I can repay you."

Breck waved a dismissive hand. "Ah, away with you. Make your ma proud, that's payment enough."

Grinning, Darian plunged out into the city.

Right then. Time to see what I can see.

He set off down the streets, taking in everything with avid curiosity. The people, the animals, the buildings - all of it foreign and fascinating. The market stalls overflowed with goods of every description - gleaming baubles, aromatic spices, exotic furs and plump sausages.

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If only Talia could see this! She'd go mad for those beaded purses.

Wending through the crowd, he caught snatches of conversation. "-heard the baker's wife is stepping out with the tanner again-" "-two coppers a pound, and that's my final offer-"

Then a word snagged his attention like a hook."-don't know why you're so worried. It's not like the exam will be hard."

Darian looked over to see two well-dressed boys a little older than himself facing each other across a low stone wall. They both wore expressions of disdain.

"Of course it won't be hard," the second boy scoffed. "But that doesn't mean I want to waste my whole morning at the testing hall. I heard it takes hours, and for what? To prove I can read and do sums? It's insulting."

The first boy examined his fingernails. "Maybe for you. Some of us plan to actually earn our positions. Not just have them handed over like a nameday gift."

"As if your father didn't buy your spot same as mine," the other boy sneered. "But fine, show up and scratch tallies in the dirt like a good little peacock. I'll do the bare minimum and be glad to have the whole farce done with."

"You'll change your tune when the exam proves you're a dunce and they toss you out on your ear," the first boy drawled. "Won't be so high and mighty then, will you?"

City boys, Darian thought with a twinge of nervousness. Going on about the test like it's nothing. I bet they've had tutors and books their whole lives. They're so sure they'll pass.

He edged closer to better hear their discussion, eager for any scraps of information he could glean. But as he shuffled into view, the boys broke off their squabble to stare at him.

"And what do we have here?" the first boy asked, lip curled. "Some beggar brat hoping for a handout?"

Darian flushed, suddenly very aware of his rough clothes and mud-caked boots. "I'm not a beggar," he said, trying to sound sure. "I'm here for the entrance exam too."

The boys looked him up and down, then burst out laughing. "You?" the second boy hooted. "Exam's for the governor's service, not the stables. Scurry back to whatever dung heap you crawled out of."

Red swam in Darian's vision. His fingers balled into fists. I could lay you out with one punch, you primped prig. But fighting would only prove the brat right. He had to be smart about this. Remember what you're here for.

Darian opened his mouth, reaching for a sharp retort - only to snap it shut as a hand tapped his shoulder. He whirled to see a girl his age, clad in a simple frock, her chestnut hair in braids.

"There you are! I've been looking all over for you," she trilled, threading her arm through his. She shot the velvet boy a sunny smile. "Thanks for keeping him company, lads. Come on, we'll be late!"

And with that, she towed Darian away, leaving the rich boys blinking. They hustled through the crowd, Darian too stunned to protest. Once they'd rounded a few bends, the girl released him and stepped back, grinning.

"Whew! That was close. You looked about ready to feed that braggart his own teeth."

Darian gaped. "I... you... who are you?"

The girl stuck out her hand. "I'm Lila. Pleased to meetcha!"

"Darian." He shook automatically. Her grip was strong and callused, a working girl's hand. "I'm sorry, have we met?"

"Nope! But I know a fellow villager when I see one." Lila winked. "You stood out like a turnip in a tulip patch, 'specially next to those high-borns."

Darian flushed. "That obvious, huh?"

"To me, maybe. It's the shoes that give it away." She tapped her own sturdy boots, twins to his. "Proper cobbling, made for walking fields not streets."

"Oh." He looked at her again, seeing past the surface. The fabric of her dress was rough-woven, the hem muddy. "You're not from the city either."

"Nah, I'm from Harpersfield, few miles west of here. Ma's a weaver, Da's the miller." She shrugged. "We do all right, but nothing like them."

She jerked her chin at a pair of silk-clad ladies floating by. "What about you? What brings a well-spoken boy like you to the big smoke?"

Darian scuffed a toe in the dirt. "The academy exams. I want to... I have to get in."

Lila's eyes widened. "No kidding? That's why I'm here too! Fancy that."

“Really?” Hope kindled in his chest. Maybe I'm not so alone after all.

"'Course I am!" she said cheerfully. "It's my whole reason for coming to the city. We've got to show those stuffed shirts what real people can do, right?"

A smile tugged at Darian's mouth. "Right. They'll be sorry they underestimated us."

"That's the spirit!" Lila grinned and linked her arm with his. "Come on then, let's go have a look at that hall we'll be trouncing them in. I want to know every brick of it before the test day dawns."

Arm in arm, they set off down the street, chatting and laughing. Maybe this test wouldn't be so bad, with a friend by his side. Someone who understood where he came from and what this meant. Together, they'd show everyone what they could do.

As the afternoon continued, Lila pointed out her favourite city sights - the colourful awnings of the dyers' district, the governor's impressive palace, the busy central market square. They snacked on hot pasties from a corner stand and marvelled at the gizmos and wonders on display in the artisans' shops.

When the sun began to sink below the rooftops, Darian sighed and turned his feet back toward the Dancing Dragon.

"I should go," he said, surprised at the reluctance in his own voice. "My Ma's friend will worry if I'm not back by dark."

"Mine too," Lila said. She scuffed a foot along the cobbles, then glanced up at him, her face hopeful. "But I'll see you tomorrow, yeah? We can study for the test together, try and guess what they'll ask."

"I'd like that," Darian said. The sting of the boys' mockery had faded after having spent the afternoon with Lila.

Lila's grin widened. "Well alright then! Meet me in the square come morning. And bring your clever head - we've got a lot of ground to cover." She darted forward and wrapped him in a quick, impulsive hug. "Goodnight, Darian. Sleep well, and dream of trouncing the silk stockings!"

Then she was off with a cheery wave, disappearing into the crowd. Darian watched her go, his cheeks warm. A friend, he thought. A real friend, like Thomas back home. But with even bigger dreams than either of us ever dared imagine.

Still smiling to himself, he turned and started the way back to the inn. The city didn't seem quite so overwhelming anymore. If folk like Lila could find a place here, then so could he.

Three days, he thought as the Dancing Dragon came into view, its painted sign creaking in the breeze. Three days until I prove what I can do.