The town looked similar to the ones they had been through previously with the difference, that it was a coastal one with a large harbor. Titus searched and found a small ship that for a few silvers would set them over to Antioch with their goods and horses. They boarded without the large wagon but with the horses.
They brought all their goods, weapons, and equipment wrapped in cloth, onto the ship and when they left the harbor Faust held Leona as they both looked at Antioch. Her body pressed against his and the white city in the distance captivated them.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” Leona asked huskily. Faust smiled and chose to tease her a bit.
“Nothing compared to your beauty…” he whispered into her ear and she slapped his chest softly.
“That’s not true! Say it again!” she blushed and laughed quietly. He grinned at her cute reaction and remained silent.
Aquila watched the couple from the other side of the ship. He felt a bit lost whenever he saw the two together.
‘I wonder where that beautiful woman is … Elena.’ He laughed about himself and shook his head.
‘How can I be thinking about a woman I saw once when I got this beauty before me.’ He looked out at the waves and the white walls of the mysterious island city, that would become his home for who knows how long.
The waves were small and the ride was smooth. They were closing in on Antioch and the imposing size of it became even more apparent as the walls seemed to grow taller and taller the closer they got to them.
When Faust looked to the front of the boat he saw Chiron, standing as upright as a tree with his wide robes fluttering in the wind. He looked out onto the sea.
‘Whenever I look at him I feel more at peace… I can forget my worries…’ he sighed contently.
Titus came over to Faust and put a hand on his shoulder.
“The next months… your main task will be to focus on increasing your strength as much as you can while the rest of us do research. You are our only hope to fight and take on our enemies as of now.” His voice was calm and…
‘What is this? Does his voice sound fatherly?’ Faust’s heart jumped. He felt the weight of responsibility weigh down on his shoulders. Or was it just Titus’ hand?
He couldn’t help but smile at the old man.
“Thank you. I will do my best to serve Alexander. I owe him everything.” He looked to Leona who stood beside him with a tender glance and when she heard it she bit her lip and blushed.
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Titus chuckled.
“You have a good heart, Faust. Maybe the day will come when you will be a great leader who invokes the loyalty of those around him.” Titus smiled as he left to talk with Ronan.
As soon as the commander left Leona practically leaped at Faust and hugged him.
“You are… a helpless romantic. Calling me your everything before Titus. You are getting routine at making me blush.” Her face was red, and Faust couldn’t remain serious.
“I meant it.” He laughed and kissed her forehead. She grinned happily, looking up at him. She was tall for a woman, about 180cm tall, yet Faust had started to approach the two-meter mark ever since he nearly died on the Stray Orc hunt.
“How am I to kiss you if you keep growing?” she pouted and crossed her arms before her chest.
“Huh? I'll catch up to your father, you can ask your mother how she does it. Maybe a ladder or something.” He chuckled and Leona slapped his chest.
“Idiot.” She exclaimed and laughed.
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15 minutes later Antioch had grown even closer. Ronan stepped next to them, looking at the city with reverence.
“140 towers, 15 meters high wall, one gate, defended by a giant chain that can be raised to keep invader’s ships out, at least two thousand soldiers in garrison, 60 thousand registered inhabitants and about 20 thousand unregistered. Can’t be sure.” A certain sense of pride invaded his voice and Faust felt awed by what he saw. The walls stretched as far as he could see and right before him there was a large, round gate on whose sides big towers stood. A thick chain came out of the towers on the sides of the gate.
The city's most impressive feature was the massive wall and its beautiful and high towers, much higher than any building he had ever seen. Even Vostrim Castle appeared small in comparison.
Only now did he get his first glance at the actual city behind the walls. They sailed right at the giant gate and as they passed through Faust noticed that the walls were several meters thick.
‘Who could even invade this city? How could the Kingdom even besiege it? The thought of doing so seems silly.’ Only now did Faust realize why Aurelius had been hailed as a true, wise king and conqueror.
Years ago the kingdom had besieged Antioch successfully and Aurelius granted it to the Argorus. This was what started the conflict between Epicrotia and Argorus.
‘This is the place everyone desires… the City of Destiny.’ Faust thought as they passed through the gate into the large natural harbor. What he saw when they entered would forever etch itself into Faust’s memory.
He had never seen such a grandiose beauty before. The vast natural harbor was entirely covered by buildings. There were dozens if not hundreds of docks, piers, and smaller harbors. There were thousands of buildings on different levels of the city. It looked as if it was built into a cliff. And all of it completely white, decorated with gold and blue. Everywhere he looked he saw beautiful adornments, statues, art, ships of all sizes, traders, soldiers wearing a white tabard and plate armor and so much more.
He stood there, mouth agape, staring at this city that appeared to be unending. On top of the cliffs that reached 10 meters high, there were even more buildings. It seemed to go on even on the cliff.
‘This city knows no end…’ Faust looked from place to place, completely captivated by its beauty. His companions didn’t fare any better. All but Titus, Ronan and of course Chiron, had their mouths open, staring at what lay before them.
“Faust… I might never want to leave this place again.” Leona mumbled in a husky voice and Faust found it difficult to disagree. The City of Destiny had enchanted him, as it had with so many before him. The round roofs, the many different colors decorating the white stone, and the sheer size and artistry were baffling.
When Faust regained his composure he heard Ronan talk to the captain.
“Pier 270 please.”
“Aye aye, big man.” The experienced ferryman grinned.