Church of enlightened
Somehow we made it to Kingsground in the given time; excited but fatigued. I think the excitement came from making it on time, we sure spent our horses to cut the four days journey into three. We had encountered ferocious beasts along the way and had to seriously fight for our lives or else we'd be dead so I had no appetite for the outdoors anymore. Though thank God we met no spirits.
At first I thought the journey would be interesting since it was an opportunity to test my strength and get experience, but now all I wanted after the past three days was a hot bath and a feather bed. That fact made me more worried about the future. If I want to survive in this world I'd have to spend the whole day with an empty stomach at some point, travel long tedious journeys, run from enemies while badly injured and so on. I got to be realistic, and those would be more unpleasant than a mere school trip. I sighed.
We broke out of the woods on the mountains and could make out the city of Tarin in the distance. An overpopulated city hard by the sea in the north with thousands of ships docked from Adaki, Jazar, Srome and more, some even as far as Ceed empire. Tarin is one of the biggest trading point in the world because of its water resources contributing on the Vest families immense wealth. Even though there are other more powerful houses in Crystalis none were wealthier than the Vest house, even the royal family the second did not come close.
Smoke rose from thousands of chimneys and travelers continuously entered the city; Mounted, on foot, or in carriages. Most were merchants or adventures but they were those that looked like normal travelers too. The city wall was white, thick but short, no more than three meters. But well maned mind you. Guards stood atop the walls and watch towers and before the gate.
We showed them our permit before they let us through. Inside the city was busy as a market place and only slightly better looking. Unlike Kingsground that was the most beautiful city I have seen since coming to this world, Tarin was old and ugly, and looked more like an abandoned ruin more than a city. All the buildings were square and the color of yellow sand as if it would melt at any minute. The roofs were flat and wooden bridges spanned across them with people going to and fro atop.
It was a chaos here, it felt like everyone was shouting. Come and buy this, come and buy that. Or cursing or singing...
The Doom Hide house waded through the city steadily. The citizens always reluctant to give our horses way. "Where do we go from now?" Relda asked suddenly.
Bailey opened a map in response, the house flag held between his ear and shoulder. "That way," he pointed, "then we have to take four more streets."
Relda nodded.
We followed the direction to the church of enlightened. It was an ancient place, a square building with a narrow impractical tower raised to its side like those you see on mosques on earth. Three elderly men were waiting for us at the entrance. "Welcome Doom Hide house," the one in the middle said.
We reined to a halt and dismounted. Relda walked to them. "Bless you bishop, bless you priests," she bowed.
"Amen," the men said in unison then the one in the center continued. "Bless you too princess,"
Relda straightened then nodded her head. "I did not expect the bishop to wait for us yourself... Sorry for troubling you,"
"Its nothing princess, just my honor. Will you cast the flag now?"
Relda nodded again then looked at Bailey. "My pleasure," he said stepping forward with the flag supported on his shoulder. He turned to Nuni. "would you do the honors?" She gave him a sour look but lifted her hands nonetheless. A purple screen appeared before the house prefect, a similar one showed up atop the church's roof. Bailey walked through the portal before him, walking out of the one on the tower casually. He took a moment, for effect, before casting the flag beside two others that were already there. One a blue flag with a shield in the center and the other a yellow flag with stars. Then the boy shot fireworks into the air with the tip of his finger.
"Show off," Chiba muttered beside me. I couldn't disagree.
After that we left the church and headed towards the castle. The castle sat atop the hills, gray structures and towers reaching for the sky, it was the only building that looked renovated in this dump of a city as far as I could say. A servant received us at the gate and led us to the keep. We were shown our rooms, three persons in each. I ended up with Tryst and another second year called Noble. The academy has three years, Nuni and Relda are third years; Tryst, Bailey, Wizs and Chiba are second years; while Kara and I are first years.
In the night we had dinner with the heir of the Vest house. A short man in his thirties, wearing extravagantly embroidered red coat. He sat at the main table of the hall and sprouted some nonsense to 'inspire' us before we dug into our meal. He left then without eating much of his food. I spotted Celestine at another table but did not approach her. Back in my room I made my bed, one of the three in the room, then lay down to catch some sleep. My body might be strong but my mind was wise as I knew the value of sleep unlike the other children.
I did not know when I fell asleep but it felt like I hadn't slept for a second when someone was tapping me on the shoulder. "Young master wake up," it was Kina's voice.
I groaned and turned. She was standing before my bed with full ninja regalia, a big sword strapped on her back. "What is it?" I asked in confusion.
"Get up and grab your things, we got to go,"
I sat up somewhat surprised. "What?"
"Crystalis and the others of V'alkre are planning to declare war on Fen castle city,"
The Winter wars? So soon?!! I instantly shot to my feet. "What's the plan?"
"You pack your things and leave, I will go get the princess and meet you behind the north gate. Can you find your way to it?"
"I am not a buffoon,"
"Good, be careful not to get seen," Kina said and went out of the window.
"Sure," I said and started packing my luggage. To say the winter wars will begin earlier than in the novel, this is totally unexpected, but such is life; I only got to adapt if I want to survive.
After I was done, I stepped out of the window and close it behind me. Then I promptly disappeared into the night.