Siefred was anxiously tending to his horse’s water when he noticed the captain waving at his direction.
“Siefred get over here!” He heard the captain shout over the wind, and as ordered, he quickly stepped over.
“Yes ma’am?” He answered as he approached. Beside the captain, he noticed, was a boy covered in scars, but apparently still healthy enough to seem lively.
“This is Gia, the royal highness’ aide.” The captain conveyed, “I’m trusting you with his transport past Sakriel and on to Sakrilege.”
Siefred frowned.
“Surely a rider other than the vanguard would be more suited to this escort role.” He replied.
The captain knit her brows.
“Duchess Carmen allowed him to decide his escort,” She shrugged, “Just do it. If anyone in the corps could both vanguard and escort, it’s you anyway.”
Siefred raised an eyebrow, then, realising that further discussion would be useless, merely nodded tiredly and began walking back to his horse. Gia, realising he was being left behind, quickly hurried after the lone vanguard.
----
Back on track, the convoy sped towards Sakriel. As they journeyed into the morning, the tiring dunes that had surrounded them flattened into wide plains of glittering sand. And at the edge of that now flat horizon, the shadowy silhouette of a city could be seen. Siefred sighed in relief, knowing the threat of tunnellers had been abated, if only for now.
He felt the boy on his back shift slightly and groan quietly.
“You awake?”
“Yes sir.” The boy replied curtly, tightening his grip on Siefred’s back.
Reaching into the rucksack attached to his horse, he retrieved two small chunks of pemmican. Buffalo and chokeberry were his secret recipe. That tangy sweet bitterness mashed with the lean meat of Buffalo worked well to keep his energy high whenever he rode for days on end.
“Breakfast?” He asked, passing a piece back.
A quiet ‘yes please’ was the answer, and Siefred smiled as his passenger accepted the offering.
He continued riding as he put the fatty chunk into his mouth, listening with restrained pride as Gia complemented his cooking. Half an hour later, the captain rode up and signalled for Siefred to lead into Sakriel. Siefred nodded, then sped up, leaving the convoy behind.
----
Gia sat comfortably, bobbing as the horse raced towards the now looming shadow of the Sakriel city walls. The rider, Siefred, sitting before him seemed experienced. His sitting position was sturdy, yet natural, flowing with the rhythm of the horse, much like himself. Siefred had ordered him to stay on the horse when they approached the gates, saying he’d lead on foot, muttering something about safety. And Gia had replied in the affirmative. He now saw why the rider was so prepared.
While the looming walls which spanned miles across the desert had no sign of damage, not a single guard stood on the parapets, nor archers in the watchtowers. Instead, stone-carved gargoyles were scattered unevenly, perched, every few meters across the battlements.
The gates stood tall and imposing, casting an ominous shadow as they approached. Instead of men, two humongous carvings of lion’s heads appeared to guard the entrance. Uncomfortably, their eyes, though made of old rusted metal, seemed to track the pairs every movement. They took what looked like the main bridge across an empty moat to reach the gate, and Gia shifted uncomfortably as he took note of the gargantuan statues lining both sides. Their stances seemed too natural, too life-like. Siefred also seemed especially cautious, taking the middle path to avoid straying too close to the eerie figures.
After what seemed like an eternity, they finally stood directly before the engraved door sitting beneath the towering gates. Gia scanned their surroundings from atop the horse as Siefred gingerly picked up the knocker and tapped the door.
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After a pause, a raspy voice echoed from beyond.
“State your business within Sakriel.” It demanded.
“Representatives from the Sierra are requesting entry for rest and recuperation in our journey to Sakrilege.” Siefred explained.
“Sierra. The princess package.” The voice replied, “You are allowed entry. But the main convoy will be inspected.”
“Thank you. Though we will wait outside for the convoy’s arrival.” Siefred answered, then returned to Gia’s side.
Gia was surprised at how smooth the exchange had been, despite Siefred’s caution, and smiled subtly in relief. But he became curious yet again when Siefred began blindfolding his horse, calming the beast with light pats and a light feeding of dried apple.
Then with a sudden shockwave, the bridge shook as though the earth itself was trembling. Gia spun around from his perch and stared, struck by awe, as the colossal stone monuments which had seemed bizarre before now came to life. The otherworldly sculptures shook off the sand that had caked their marble joints and extremities, then approached them with frightening pace. Siefred, apparently unalarmed, disarmed himself as they came close. Then when beckoned, he handed his weapons into their large stone hands and returned to tending to his horse. The sculptures looked ridiculous as they inspected the tiny weapons with their oversized eyes. But they were peaceful and even bowed as they returned the weapons to their rightful owner.
Gia, shocked by what he had just witnessed, looked to Siefred for confirmation. Siefred, noticing his star-struck glance, chuckled, then took a deep, calming breath.
“Don’t hold your breath yet, the show’s not over.” He muttered under his breath.
Gia let out a puff of disbelief, then turned to face the giant gates which had begun to slide open. Huge cogwheels could be seen spinning at each side, pulling the colossal frames apart. And as the deafening tick tock of the door mechanism faded, a wonderous city revealed itself. Compared to the flat desert behind Gia, the city hidden within was a world of verticality. Towers upon towers and buildings upon buildings, sometimes organised, sometimes not, piled on each other. Rusty metal signages hung at every window, each stylized to advertise their particular trade. And the streets, which were cast in shadow, even in the broad day light, were illuminated by glow lamps and coloured with hanging rugs and tarps. Shops lined every stretch, and where there were clearings, children could be seen giggling as they tussled on sandy soils. Compared to the stylistic, stone-obsessed capitals of home, this was as close to an entirely different world as Gia could’ve imagined.
“Impressive, is it not?” Siefred said, following Gia’s gaze, “Welcome to Sakriel.”
After taking pause to admire the view as well, Siefred reached into the chest pocket of his jacket and pulled out a little wad of paper. He pricked his finger and pressed the small stream of fresh blood into the paper’s centre. The wad fizzled then popped, transforming into a fairy. It squeaked in delight at seeing her master then quickly flew into the desert.
“The convoy will be here soon. I’ve just informed them of Sakriel’s safety.” He explained to Gia.
Gia nodded in understanding.
“So… Shall we take a look inside?”
----
Substitute Captain Varina Rhodes was the first to spot the flittering fairy approach the convoy. She smiled, knowing there was only one rider in the entire convoy who’d use such a messenger.
“Alright boys pack it up, we have all clear.” She shouted orders at the rest of the corps.
As the riders scrambled to ready up, Varina rode towards the guarded carriage and knocked serially on the door.
“Yes captain?” Carmen replied as she opened the door.
“We are ready to enter Sakriel.”
----
“I guess we could grab something to eat while we wait.” Siefred offered.
Gia nodded eagerly, then slid up the saddle and began riding slowly into the city. Siefred frowned, surprised that his horse obeyed the servant boy, but eventually decided to follow.
The glowing neon streets of Sakriel existed in fantastical hustle. Amongst the drifting scent of fried foods and perfume stores, people in huge numbers rushed past one another, occasionally stopping to view goods or taste delicacies, but always seemingly heading somewhere or another.
“Hey look sir! Over here!” Gia shouted from amongst the shifting crowd.
Siefred flowed through the masses with experienced steps, then arrived at the store Gia was signalling from.
“Right.” He murmured, “What are we looking at here.”
A hoppingly excited Gia entered his view. Before him, a shabby storefront with multiple shelves had on sale a multitude of simmering pots. Each pot heated and bouncing with boiling soup, leaking with the distinct tantalising aromas of desert cuisine.
“Simmer town.” Siefred smiled as he identified the shop.
The shop owner turned to Siefred as she heard the name of her store.
“You an oldie, young’un?” The well-endowed, plumpish lady grinned as she waddled over, “This ‘ere store has changed lil since the sign wen’ down after all.”
“Ah no…” Siefred waved his hands, a little embarrassed, “I’ve just visited once or twice before.”
“Oh? That’s oldie enough for me.” The store lady winked.
“Ere’.” She said, “I’ve a copy of the ol’ menu for oldies like ya. Choose whatchya want and I’ll spin ya up.”
The lady chuckled, handing Siefred an old crusty menu from god knows when, then waddled back to work, yelling orders at the top of her lungs.
Gia hopped over, interested in the conversation that had just gone down.
“Well that seemed interesting sir.” He commented, “What did you discuss with the lady?”
“Whether I wanted steamed cactus with orb weaver, or golden legs and desert carrot.” Siefred replied with a sarcastic smile.
“Ohhh… Orb weaver sounds delicious!” Gia said, scratching his head, “It wasn’t on the menu though.”
Siefred laughed happily in reply, then waved at the shop lady.
“An orb weaver, steamed cactus simmer pot please!”