Sanora lowers her head slightly.

The guard wordlessly looks back and forth between Vadia and Sanora a few times.

“Uhm, well then, congratulations I suppose. Go on through, my apologies for keeping you waiting.” He steps aside and gestures for them to walk through. The two of them enter the city hand in hand with a lot of eyes on them.

But Sanora pays it no mind as she is overwhelmed by the city that opens around her. The street is bustling with people and carriages, some walking, some running or jogging. More people are out here on this street alone than there are people living in River’s Rest. Houses and buildings line both sides of the street with barely any space between them, let alone trees. The road is even paved here. There is a plethora of stalls on the sides of the road with people yelling and haggling everywhere, doing fast business before taking off again. But what catches Sanora’s attention the most are how different the people are. Some look like normal humans, others look like Amni; humans with animal parts like horns on their head or claws on their hands or feathers on their skin, although she sees none with wings. And some other ones look more like animals on two legs than humans, just like Tiktaq'to. She even spots the occasional elf, like Silas is one, though they are noticeably rarer than the beastkin and humans.

“Sanora.” Vadia nudges her side and Sanora quickly closes her open mouth and stops gawking around.

“Sorry. It’s just so much.” She whispers back.

“And we’ll have time to enjoy it later don’t worry. But for now, we’ll head home, get presentable and finally speak to my father. After that I’ll gladly show you around, ok?”

“Yeah, I’d love that.” Sanora smiles at her and they head on to the next segment of the city.

The buildings seem more expensive and better maintained in the second ring, the people more well dressed and a lot slower in how they go about their days. There is less haggling at stalls, there are more stores in actual buildings rather than set up along the road. There are a lot fewer people running down the streets, with most just walking leisurely. Even the guards are less present here. But with the wealth also grows the amount of looks the couple is getting, though most of them aren’t just looks anymore, but glares. This ring consists of almost only humans too. Sanora feels a little bit uncomfortable.

Vadia gives her hand a reassuring squeeze, walking with her gaze fixed ahead and not even paying attention to the judgmental whispers and pointing fingers. So, Sanora does her best to follow that example, keeping up her proud façade as they walk towards the gates to the last ring.

Even the guard at the gates is wearing shinier, thicker armor than on the lower ring. He lets them through after recognizing Vadia and they step foot into the uppermost ring. The houses are downright ridiculous both in quality and size. Most are made from smooth, solid stone bricks rather than wood and even have private gardens or lawns out-front. The few people walking around are all dressed in expensive and frilly clothes adorned with jewelry. There are no stalls at all, only stores with big glass fronts that display the often useless but luxurious wares behind them. Sanora can’t spot a single beastkin or elf up here either, but at least the stares stopped. Everyone ignores them, holding their chin high and their eyebrows raised as they slowly stride down the streets.

After the shortest walk they finally reach the last set of walls that separates the giant castle from the city.

“Lady Vadia.” The guard steps on front of them and greets Vadia with a bow. His armor is very distinct, adorned with a lot more color and elegant, flowing metal patterns than the others.

“A good day captain. What seems to be the problem?”

“No problem my lady, but I do need to ask about your companion as this is the first time I see her within these walls.”

“Ah yes, let me introduce you. Sanora, this is the captain of the castle guard Goron. Goron, this here is Sanora of Ginaeris, my current partner and soon to be betrothed.”

“A pleasure to me-ake your acquaintance, Captain Goron.” Sanora nods at him.

“The pleasure is all mine lady Sanora.” He bows deeply and Sanora feels an odd tingle run through her stomach at the prospect of being addressed as a ‘lady’.

“I assure you she can be trusted. The truth is, I have known my dear Sanora for a good three saints already, we met back at the end of Weris. I just felt like confirming our relationship before taking this to my father.”

“At the end of Weris… Well then, I trust your judgement young Lady, in you go. I will have you father informed of your return.”

“You may also tell him that we will seek audience with him in an hour, thank you.” Vadia smiles at Goron as he lets them through the archway. Sanora gives him a short nod when she walks by. When they walk onto the square on the other side of the wall Sanora almost stumbles. The castle is imposing, higher than even the tallest trees. She cranes her neck to look up at the towering structure while Vadia leads her to an entrance to the right of the large main doors which are as big as the gateways in the walls of River’s Rest.

Once Vadia shuts the door behind them Sanora’s pose slacks and she sighs.

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“Holy shit this place is so tall.”

“Thanks.” Vadia winks at her with a smug smile. “Come now, I’ll show you my, or I guess our, room.” She walks on, down the long hall and Sanora quickly follows while looking around. The hallway looks no less luxurious than the rest of the place. Big windows line the right wall, and paintings are on the left along with the occasional door. A few maids step aside when the two walk through, lowering their heads at the two girls. But Sanora can feel their gazes bore into her back once they are past them. They walk up a flight of stairs at the end just to walk back down the same hallway on the first floor, until they reach the door at the end of it. Vadia opens it and beckons Sanora in. A bit hesitant she walks inside and looks around.

Thick, red carpet covers the floor, to the right stands a large four-poster bed with a red canopy, a big closet on its right and a nightstand on the left. On the far end of the room is a large window overlooking the whole city and the plains beyond, all the way to the mountains from where they come.

On the left side of the room is a desk with a mirror and all sorts of strange utensils and brushes on it. Above the desk is yet another window, showing the western part of the city.

“You can leave your shoes here.” Vadia says, throwing her own into a small shoe rack next to the door.

“Huh? Oh sure, thanks.” Sanora stammers before taking off her worn boots.

“I’ll take out some clothes for you too, ones that you can wear the armor over.”

“Leave the armor on?” Sanora tilts her head. “Shouldn’t I wear something frillier like the other people around here?”

“No, the armor will be better. Trust me, even the wealthiest noble’s clothes around here aren’t even remotely as expensive as that chainmail.” Vadia waves her off before pulling out some clothes from the closet and handing them to Sanora. It’s just a tunic like she herself wears, although leagues above in quality. The color is a deep purple with a silver trim around the collar. The pants are simple, wide cut and black.

“There, that should give you both, a warrior and noble look.” Vadia nods and takes out a long, wide-cut dark purple dress for herself.

“Alright then, you can leave your belongings here for now. It’s high time for a bath.”

Sanora drops her backpack along with her armor. She hesitates a bit at the sword.

“Feeling uneasy?”

“Ah well… yes, but it’s nothing personal, just bad memories.”

“I see... Well, I won’t stop you if it’s that important to you.” Vadia nods with an understanding smile.

Sanora looks at Vadia a bit surprised, though pleasantly so. With a smile she unbuckles her sword and leaves it beside her backpack. “Let’s go.”

Vadia nods and stretches out her hand. Sanora takes it and they walk down the stairs they came up from, down into the basement. Vadia leads them into one of the many doors, the warm, humid air already wafting at them as they enter a room with a large, square bath ahead of them, filled with steaming water. It’s made of stone and the style is simple but most importantly it’s-

“A damn big bath.” Sanora whistles. All she knows are cold scrubs at the river. Not once has she come back to Genny and her offer to use their private tub.

“Save the astonishment for when you’re in there. Come on, we still have almost an hour to enjoy it.” Vadia says and starts taking off her clothes, drawing Sanora’s gaze away from the bath. After enjoying the view for a few seconds Sanora takes her clothes off as well. Vadia slowly sinks into the water with a loud sigh.

“Finally~”

Sanora walks over and dips her toe into the water.

“It’s so hot!”

“Well yeah, all baths are.” Vadia chuckles, but Sanora just turns away with an awkward smile. Vadia stops laughing.

“Don’t tell me you never had a hot bath.”

“N-no, only had the river back home.” She says a bit sheepishly and steps into the water. It’s hot, almost biting but nowhere near as much as the frigid river. Sanora sinks in with a sigh much like Vadia’s.

“Like it?” Vadia asks with an eyebrow raised and a smile.

“Like it? This is absolute bliss.” Sanora almost melts away as she sits down on the stone bench in the water with a long sigh, closing her eyes. “Trust me you don’t know what cold is if you have never had to wash off at that river.”

“Poor thing you.” Vadia shakes her head. A few moments Sanora hears the water splash around before feeling a weight on her. She opens her eyes, looking right into Vadia’s. She is sitting on her lap with an impish smirk. Sanora swallows.

“Let’s make your first bath even more special then~” Vadia leans in to lay her lips on Sanora’s before she can even respond.

“I can’t believe it.” Sanora sighs, plopping down onto Vadia’s bed, her hair wrapped in a towel, face still red, albeit not only from the hot water. “You are hopeless.”

“Well how can I hold myself back if you just look like this. Really, it’s like the God of flesh himself formed your face.” Vadia sits down next to Sanora, mustering her face. Sanora grimaces, a faint sting echoing through her head.

“Everything alright? You just made a pretty funny face there.”

“I did? Huh, guess so. Yeah I’m fine, just an odd feeling.” Sanora shrugs.

“If you say so. Well either way, it’s almost time to go see my father. So, dry up and dress up my dear.” Sanora gives Sanora a quick peck on the cheek before getting up to get dressed herself. Sanora looks at her with a smile for a few seconds before finishing up as well. Before she knows it, they are outside again, walking towards the giant doors to the throne room. Sanora grabs at her chest, taking a deep breath to calm her pounding heart.

“Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. I’m right beside you.” Vadia nudges her side.

“Yeah, thanks.” Sanora nods and they walk up to the gates. The two guards standing beside it open it as the two approach. Sanora takes a last, deep breath before they walk in. The hall is no less impressive than the rest of the building, more so even. The ceiling is high, thick wooden pillars with reliefs of warriors and knights carved into them reach up all the way to the roof. In the middle of the room is a large firepit inlaid into the floor, filling the room with a lazy orange light and a gentle warmth.

And of course, at the far end of the hall, elevated over the rest of the floor stands the throne of the ruler of Deepvalley. On it sits a bulbous man in his forties, his slightly greasy, brown hair, a few shades lighter than Vadia’s, reaches just barely past his ears. A golden tiara holds the strands out of his face, or at least most of them. His clothes are made of thick red cloth, and a pelt sits on his shoulders.

Sanora constantly has to her remind herself to keep face as Vadia has taught her. But she is nervous, more so than she had ever been in her short life. She reminds herself; chin up, chest out, walk with confidence.

“You’re doing fine, don’t worry.” Vadia whispers, her arm linked with Sanora’s.

Sanora just nods quietly and a moment later they finally stand in front of the lord of Deepvalley.

“Father.” Vadia says, lowering her head with Sanora following suit.

The man just raises an eyebrow as he musters them with a boring gaze, not a hint of emotion on his face. Sanora can feel the cold sweat under the gaze of his deep, blue eyes. She swallows again, trying her best to keep up her act.