Lucios felt the biting cold of winter on his skin, but he didn't mind. He was eager to reach Mbara’ba, the main city of the Kamaiura house, where he hoped to find Baron Oliver. He walked alongside his horse, which carried his luggage. Behind him, Sir Damian and the three soldiers of his escort followed, dressed in leather and metal armor, and mounted on brown horses.

They had traveled for days, crossing forests, mountains, and partially frozen rivers, following a narrow and winding trail. Now, they were finally approaching their destination. They left the trail and entered a wider, flatter road, which was covered with a thin layer of snow but still easier to walk on. The road led directly to Mbara’ba and was used by merchants, travelers, and pilgrims.

Lucios began to see more people on the road, moving in different directions. He saw carts pulled by oxen or horses, carrying goods, food, or people. He saw peasants on foot, dressed in simple clothes, carrying baskets, bags, or tools. He also saw some knights and ladies, dressed in more elegant attire.

They all seemed to have a common destination: the city of Mbara’ba, which rose majestically on the horizon. Lucios was amazed by the sight of the city, which was one of the oldest in the kingdom. It was built on a hill, which rose above the frozen plains. At the top of the hill stood the castle, the current seat of power of the Kamaiura house. The castle was an imposing fortress, made of gray stone, with tall, pointed towers, narrow arched windows, and a large iron gate. The castle dominated the landscape and provided a complete view of the rest of the city, which spread out on the hillside.

The city was surrounded by a double wall, which protected it from invaders and wild animals. The outer wall, which stood at the base of the hill, was lower and simpler and had several gates for entry and exit. The inner wall, which was closer to the castle, was higher and more elaborate and had only one gate, in front of the castle. Between the two walls, there was an open space, where fields, orchards, gardens, and stables were located.

Inside the inner wall was the most populous and bustling part of the city. There were narrow, winding streets, wooden and stone houses, shops, taverns, and other buildings. The city was divided into two districts. The northern district, which was closer to the castle, was where the knights, soldiers, and their families lived. The southern district, which was farther from the castle, was busier and housed the huts, shantytowns, and markets.

Lucios, with wide eyes, contemplated the city of Mbara’ba before him. The stone walls, worn by time and marked by countless battles, rose majestically against the horizon. The watchtowers, now adorned with banners of the Kamaiura house, seemed to whisper secrets of times past.

The cobblestone streets wound among wooden and stone houses, each with its own story engraved on the weathered boards. Lúcios imagined the ancient inhabitants, their faces weathered by the cold wind and sun, who had built these structures with calloused hands and intertwined hopes.

A tapestry of history unfolded before him, each stone in the cobblestone streets whispering tales of a bygone century. The city bore the scars of battles long fought, but remained resilient, a testament to the resilience of its people.

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Mbara’ba was not a common city; it was a bastion of civilization in the midst of the wild frontier. Once an advanced outpost in the defense of the kingdom against barbarian raids from the north, it had witnessed its fair share of bloodshed and turmoil. But now, under the rule of Baron Oliver, the city seemed to have found a renewed peace.

In the southern square of the city, merchants sold their wares, children ran between the legs of adults, and elders gathered on wooden benches, exchanging stories and laughter.

Lucios couldn't help but wonder about the transformation. What had once been a constant struggle for survival against marauding tribes now seemed like a prosperous center of trade. He paused to talk to some of the commoners, curious to learn more about the city's newfound tranquility.

To his surprise, the locals spoke of Baron Oliver with reverence, crediting him with ending the attacks that had plagued the region for generations. According to them, since the baron's rise to power, the attacks had decreased to the point of disappearing, allowing the city to thrive like never before.

As Lucios wandered through the bustling streets, he marveled at the sight of merchants offering their goods and commoners doing various jobs. Despite the harsh climate and unforgiving terrain, Mbara’ba seemed to thrive, its people embodying a spirit of resilience and determination.

Lucios advanced through the streets of Mbara’ba, accompanied by his silent escort. The four men, dressed in leather and iron armor, stayed close to him. Absorbed in his thoughts, Lucios did not notice the vigilant eyes watching his every move. Unbeknownst to him, a lone soldier, dressed in the uniform of the city guard, spotted him from afar.

The soldier, an experienced veteran with a stern expression, watched Lúcios with keen interest. As Lucios wandered through the labyrinthine alleys, the soldier kept a discreet distance, his trained eyes never losing sight of his prey. He observed how Lucios paused to examine the richly carved façade of an ancient building, how he lingered near the bustling market, as if absorbing the sights and sounds of the city with rapt attention.

With each passing moment, the soldier's curiosity grew, his mind buzzing with questions. As he watched Lucios and his escort, the soldier felt intrigued. Who were these strangers and what brought them to Mbara’ba? He pondered these questions as he followed them from a distance, remaining concealed in the shadows of the narrow streets.

Finally, when Lucios and his escort reached the northern district of the city, the soldier decided it was time to act. With firm steps, he made his way to the castle, his mind already working to report to the baron about the presence of the outsiders in the city.

With hurried steps, the soldier entered the imposing gates of the castle, his mind already formulating the report he would present to Baron Oliver. Without hesitation, he approached the knight in charge of the castle's security, handing him the information he had gathered about the group led by Lúcios.

The knight listened attentively to the soldier's report, his serious eyes assessing each detail meticulously. Recognizing the importance of the information, he invited the soldier to accompany him to the presence of the baron.

Baron Oliver listened attentively as the soldier reported the recent events in Mbara’ba. When the soldier mentioned a boy who was being escorted, a look of recognition passed over the baron's face.

Recalling the letter he had received from Count Tiberios just a week before, in which the noble expressed his intention to send his son to be educated under the care of the baron, Baron Oliver made an immediate connection.

"Did you see the age of the boy who was being escorted?" the baron asked, his deep voice echoing in the room.

The soldier nodded. "I managed to get a good look, and from the size, I would say he must be 12 or 13 years old."

A sense of understanding washed over Baron Oliver. He began to think of Count Tiberios's sons, trying to match the age description with one of them. Quickly, he came to a conclusion.

"The only one who fits that description is the count's second son, Lucam," the baron murmured to himself, pondering the implications of this discovery.