Once they had consumed their meal it was well past midday now and Lysander had sent another message to the woman he called his mother to inform her of his delay.

“I know mom, we will be home before nightfall.” Lysander spoke as he argued with the woman. “I know I said five hours but Merci was starving.” There was a brief pause before Lysander spoke one more time, “Thank you mother for understanding.”

“Everything alright?” Merci questioned as they began the trek once more towards the kingdom of Sunne. They were three hours out from the main city. Four hours out from the castle.

“Mother is just worried that we won’t make it back to the castle before dark.” Lysander said.

Nikalus chuckled, “A grown man and yet his mother still babies him.”

Lysander shot him a glare, “Nothing wrong with a mother that cares.”

“Whatever.” Nikalus fell silent as the sound of their crunching footsteps overtook their ears.

Two hours to go as one had passed and all but the sounds of nature and their footsteps could be heard. Lysander was pushing them along at this point as he was trying to get to the castle before nightfall.

One hour to go before they arrived to the first farms of the city. The farms of the city consisted of spaced out farm houses and farm land that contained various crops. Merci couldn’t help but picture this as something similar to her farm back in Zanderia.

“Trust me it’s not. The crops here have added growth by our local druids. They grow large and bountiful as the druids work closely with the clerics and use Control Weather with the aid of Plant Growth to further the production of our crops. Let alone spells like Fertilization Supplement and Control Water all aid in our crop fields.”

Lysander told Merci as they walked through the crop lands. The landscape in this area is a patchwork of different shades of green, with rows of crops meticulously planted in straight lines. Fields of golden wheat sway gently in the breeze, while vibrant patches of corn stand tall, their leaves rustling softly. Amongst the corn rested vibrant greens indicating several different variations of crops.

Along the crop lines stood fruit trees with several variations of fruit. Most seemed almost ready for harvest.

In the fields resided various small pools of water that Lysander had pointed out was controlled by a spell to aid in the water disbursement.

“Do you harvest like we do?” Merci wondered as she thought back to her life on the farm and how she was the one stuck harvesting each individual crop.

“Nope. We utilize the animals here and have them harvest for us. Let alone we are able to manipulate the plants and ground to force harvest when the plants are ready.” Lysander told her.

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Merci found all of this to be interesting as they seemed to be able to have the world work for them in a way, with the aid of magic of course.

“Kind of how it works.” Lysander told her. “We still need to know harvest times and planting times. Beyond that our druids and clerics work wonders with the land.”

“Huh.” Merci fell silent as they walked past the tall lush fields that were full of life.

The trek through the fields was an hour long and before Merci knew it they had reached stone paths and many buildings lining the streets as the city unfolded before them. “Merci, I would like to properly welcome you to the city of Sunne.”

Merci scanned the streets as they walked in a direct path towards the castle. The homes and buildings were made from stone and wood. The paths were made from stone and lined with various trees and plant life. The people here, were like no other.

The majority of them appeared to be elven form but there were tall and hairy creatures, small creatures, lizard like creatures, and more.

“Firbolgs, Giants, Orcs, Elves, humans, halflings, and many many more races reside here. We strive in a community that gives equal opportunity to all races.” Lysander pointed out as he watched Merci’s eyes dart all around.

Merci was in awe at the sights before her. The buildings were uniquely built as each seemed to be of a simple build but had its own design and characteristics due to the type of material used. The smells of the town was a mix of florals and baked goods. Which made her mouth water despite being full from the meal she had consumed hours prior.

“I’d allow a stop at a bakery but we are expected in less than thirty minutes at the castle.” Lysander pointed out. “We should pick up pace. Tomorrow I can let you explore our glorious kingdom more.” Lysander said as he grabbed her hand tightly and pulled her along.

Lysander managed to shave off five minutes of travel as they ran through the streets of the town. In time they had approached a golden gate that opened before them.

Merci stood transfixed, a sense of awe washing over her as they gazed upon the marvelous castle that unfolded before their eyes. This grand edifice was a striking vision of architectural brilliance, its silhouette dominated by five towering spires that pierced the sky with their elegant ascent.

Each spire seemed to reach for the heavens, their slender forms tapering gracefully and adorned with intricate carvings and ornate designs. The tallest of the spires stood out prominently, crowned with a golden finial that gleamed like a beacon, catching the sunlight and casting a warm, radiant glow over the entire castle.

The castle itself was a breathtaking amalgamation of white, black, and gold stone, each element contributing to its majestic presence. The primary structure was built of pristine white stone, which gleamed with a lustrous sheen, giving the castle an air of purity and grandeur. This was complemented by deep, rich black stone, used to create striking patterns and detailed embellishments that accentuated the castle’s regal demeanor. The gold stone, incorporated with masterful artistry, highlighted key features of the castle, such as the arches, windows, and doorways, infusing the structure with an opulent glow.

The castle’s towers, rising from its stronghold, were intricately designed with battlements and crenellations that hinted at both defensive prowess and artistic finesse. Each tower had its own distinct character, with balconies and terraces offering breathtaking views of the sprawling landscape beyond.

Surrounding the castle was a sprawling courtyard, meticulously landscaped with manicured gardens and ornamental fountains that added to the castle’s charm. The castle’s high walls, made of the same striking stones, were punctuated by grand archways and elaborate gates that invited visitors into the heart of this splendid domain.

The entire scene was bathed in a soft, golden light, casting long shadows and enhancing the castle’s ethereal beauty. Merci’s heart swelled with admiration and wonder, captivated by the sheer magnificence of the castle and the artistry that had gone into its creation. As it truly felt like something she had read in a fairytale once before.

“Welcome home Merci.” Lysander pulled her along after giving her a moment to take in the castle that was cascaded in a faint glow of white light as the moon had begun to ascend in the sky.