There were five days left before the tournament. While I was sure many of those that would take part were preparing, my body still ached from my bout with the commander and giant. Yet even if it didn’t, I would have still surely taken those few days to rest. There was little point in pushing my body again. I had to conserve my energy and relax myself.

I spent that time outside the palace. Having been at last given permission to journey to the city alone, but disguised. The sage had other business to attend, and the commander convinced my mother, the ministers, and officials for me to be given some freedom.

While I was still alone, I was watched from all ends by the soldiers of the city. They wouldn’t do anything to give away who I was, but should I face trouble that I couldn’t handle, they would be there to save me. Whether I really needed such aid was something I debated in my mind, but it was surely the case that many of them were stronger than I was, and not just from the full release of their powers. As the giant had said, it was most likely the case they had mastered or were close to mastering the art of complete control of mind, body, and environment.

I left through a side entrance to the palace that descended with stone steps into a small woodland. With my cloak, I scurried through the trees and shrubs. Not long after, I came to the lower walls of the estate. I leaped over the wall, masking myself with dust, and made to the other side.

When I looked out, I saw the immense crowds of people that were moving about in every direction. Looking above, I saw the cylindrical buildings that towered condensed into concentric sections. And looking below, I saw the same stone steps that I beheld before, but polished and clean as if to welcome my entrance. To my side, the guards of the palace stood. They seemingly remained unaware to my little stunt. I was given free rein to do as I pleased.

I raced into the crowd without looking back.

The city of Koshala was in ways both alike and unlike what I expected. For one, I was used to cities being laid in grids, or seemingly close to as such, though it was the case that my home and the cities I visited in my past life were often disorderly in their layouts. Second, I was used to buildings being more rectangular than cylindrical.

Even the way people walked would often curve, hardly ever aligning to a straight line. The people of this world had indeed a fashion with circles. I mused to myself that perhaps if I drew two points and asked a person to draw a line between them, they would most likely give me a curve instead!

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As I walked through the streets, I paid close attention to the smells, sights, and sounds. Things I’d have otherwise been ignorant to in the confines of the palace. The scent of spices, the great works of construction wrought by the people, and the chatter and clatter among the citizens.

It all reminded me of home and I felt saddened. The thought of returning ever lingered in my mind, but in the state I was, what would’ve been the point? No one would recognize me. I would likely be pursued for my longevity should that persist. And I likely would’ve been enormous by comparison.

I realized early on that while the scale of things was relative to my world, things indeed were bigger than I would have otherwise perceived. Almost eerily similar to the relative sizes of purported peoples that lived in bygone ages in the past world.

And while my height is in normal relation to yours, I can see throughout the long life I’ve lived, that the heights of the various peoples living in the descending ages diminish. It indeed took me a while to become accustomed to the otherwise slow and heavy movements that I noticed as a babe. Not even growing to be a person of their relative stature did little to hasten the change in perception.

As I thought about these things and many more, some children hit me on their escape from some soldiers. With little better to do, I chased after them.

“Halt, children!” cried one soldier. “Return what you stole!”

The children ignored them. They looked to be younger than me. I caught up with the soldier, and said, “Halt not in your movement! I am child to the immortal regent. Take my coin as recompense for the stolen goods.”

I tossed some coins his way.

“Salutations prince! Is this a good idea?” said the soldier, running just ahead of me. “Will you abide the disregard for morals?”

“I’m not here to debate!” I said. “Let me handle this situation. There are indeed times when discussion bears greater results than punishment. Now, run into the alleys and mask your presence in the crowds. Let your mind focus against the pursuit so that I may draw near the thieves.”

They assented to my demand. They each went into the alleys between the buildings and their presence and focus could no more be felt.

I had by this point lost sight of the children. Yet remembering the things my sage taught me, I directed my focus through the crowd toward the object of my desire.

My sight focused to a location at the northern side of the city. I ran that direction.

Through the crowds, I flew, masking the trace of my flight. I passed beyond the grand markets of the center, the seven great Fiyukthi, the quarters and estates of both the low and high, at last to reach the sparsely populated section near the walls.

There was indeed great distance kept between it and the last buildings; at least a few miles from where the sun could bask the area in its glow unobstructed by the high edifices.

I remembered the last that I came to this area was when my father had left. But for some reason, I hadn’t noticed this great distance between the city and its walls. Perhaps because of the great throngs or my focus resting on the aerial ships that dwelt far past.

I looked around to see if there was any trace of the children. I could still feel their presence, but they were nowhere near. Where could they have gone?