Chapter 23.3: The Journey Towards the Capital City of Aethelgard - The Capital City of Perlah
Personal System Calendar: Year 0009, Days 1-14 Month VIII: The Imperium
Imperial Calendar: Year 6854, 8th month, 1st to 14th Day
---
Guests to a Foreign Land
As they traveled toward the City of Pearl, the capital of Region 5, also known as Perlah, the landscape transformed around them with each passing mile. The expedition witnessed firsthand what Imperial civilization truly meant, and the sight left them breathless.
The Empire was a place of wondrous beauty and meticulous structure. Everything seemed to have been given explicit purpose, but more than that, each element had been implemented in a manner that represented the region's unique character. The architecture, the layout of settlements, the very organization of the land itself, all reflected local culture, norms, and the distinctive way people lived in each area.
What impressed August most was the balance that it achieved. The designs were both diverse and appropriate, allowing regional identity to flourish. Yet there was also an unmistakable Imperial influence woven throughout. The buildings, while distinct from one region to another, maintained certain Imperial standards: structural integrity, defensive considerations, efficient use of space, and aesthetic harmony with nature.
Remarkably, these Imperial requirements never overshadowed the regional designs. Instead, they had been incorporated so skillfully that they enhanced rather than diminished local character. The architectural philosophy seemed to embrace the natural environment as well, structures blending with their surroundings as if they were paintings where the brushstrokes merged seamlessly.
Even those without Sibus's technical expertise, as he was their genius engineer and architect who could appreciate buildings down to their most minute details, but even they could tell and recognize beauty when they saw it. The human eye possessed an innate ability to discern aesthetic quality, even if the definition of beauty remained subjective.
For the first time since departing, the expedition members truly realized that they were no longer in the Forest of Lonelywood. That dense woodland, with its constant dangers and primal energy, had been their entire world. They had known intellectually that other places existed, but knowing and experiencing were entirely different things.
This place was alien to them. No, they corrected themselves, they were the aliens who had come to this place. Visitors from a remote frontier settlement, invited by the Emperor's grace and extended courtesy. They could only observe in awe and grateful wonder.
Perhaps because of this novelty, they had forgotten their worries for a brief, precious time. They experienced an escape from their constant struggles to survive, to maintain harmony with nature and the forest that served as both their home and refuge.
For now, they would delight in this opportunity that would likely come only once in their lifetimes. The Imperial roads proved remarkably safe, thanks to constant patrols by both Regional Troops of Perlah and Imperial Forces stationed throughout the area. After the wilderness of their homeland, such security felt almost surreal.
---
The City of Pearl
After several days of travel through increasingly developed countryside, they reached the City of Pearl itself. As the name suggested, the city's entire economy and cultural identity revolved around river pearls. The inhabitants had cultivated pearl-harvesting techniques or established businesses related to the Great Central-Western River Side of Arkanus for generations, since the kingdom's founding.
But these were not ordinary pearls. Some possessed genuinely special properties, magical characteristics that made them extraordinarily valuable. These special pearls required significant time and exceptional skill to procure, making them rare and expensive.
The most prized specimens were called "Occidental Magical Pearls," a specific type that grew under unique conditions. They formed on the right side of a particularly dangerous predatory creature dwelling in the deepest sections of the river. These beasts were known to be highly aggressive, classified in the official World Bestiary as Abyssal Glint-Drakes.
River-folk commonly referred to them as "Lurking Constellations" (for their apparent glow in the deep dark) or "Pearl-Bearers," names that captured both their appearance and their value to those brave or foolish enough to hunt them.
---
The Abyssal Glint-Drake
The Abyssal Glint-Drake was a biological anomaly, believed to have migrated from the crushing depths of midnight seas into the great deep-trench rivers during the Age of Floods or the Great Land Rift. That cataclysmic period, when geological upheaval had split the continent of Arkanus into three massive subcontinents, had created new waterways and connected previously isolated ecosystems.
These creatures inhabited what locals called the"Drowned Chasms," sections of the river where the bed dropped into subterranean canyons reaching depths exceeding one thousand feet. Down there, in absolute darkness and crushing pressure, the Glint-Drakes reigned as apex predators.
The species exhibited dramatic size dimorphism. Females were the undisputed queens of the river, reaching staggering lengths of fifty feet with thick, serpentine bodies and powerful, rudder-like fins that could propel them through water with explosive speed. Males were considerably smaller and more agile, topping out at twenty-five feet in length. They often acted as scouts or providers during mating seasons, using their superior maneuverability to drive prey toward the waiting females.
Their jaws were an engineering nightmare, at least from the prey's perspective. They possessed four rows of teeth arranged in a terrifying configuration. The outer rows featured serrated edges like obsidian saws, designed for shearing through flesh and scales. The inner rows consisted of long, needle-thin spikes that could puncture armor and lock prey in place, preventing escape once the jaws closed.
Their skin was a dark, matte indigo that rendered them virtually invisible in the deep-water darkness. However, once they descended past the one thousand foot mark, the immense water pressure activated a chemical reaction in their scales. This created a shimmering, rhythmic pulsing pattern along their flanks that resembled starlight reflecting on water. The bioluminescence served multiple purposes: luring curious prey, communicating with other Drakes, and perhaps most remarkably, attracting mates during breeding season.
---
The Opaline Squatter
The most unique feature of the Glint-Drake was the large, iridescent sphere embedded on its right side. This was not actually part of the Drake's body but rather a separate parasitic creature known as an Opaline Squatter. Locals also called it the Occidental Orient, the source of the precious pearls that defined Perlah's economy.
The relationship between Drake and Squatter was fascinatingly complex. When a Glint-Drake reached its juvenile stage, around fifteen feet in length, it would actively seek out a Squatter colony in the river silt. The Squatter, which resembled a soft, glowing polyp in its free-swimming larval form, would attach itself to the Drake's thick hide.
As the Drake grew and consumed nutrient-rich prey, the Squatter absorbed excess calcium and minerals from the Drake's skin. It secreted these materials as beautiful, hardened nacre. Over decades, this pearl could grow to the size of a wagon wheel on an ancient female Drake. The largest recorded specimen, harvested from a Drake estimated to be over two hundred years old, had measured twelve feet in diameter and weighed nearly two tons.
The relationship was genuinely symbiotic despite its parasitic appearance. The Squatter gained a mobile, apex-predator home that protected it from scavengers and provided access to a constant supply of nutrients. In return, the pearl it created acted as a sensory organ for the Drake. The nacre's unique crystalline structure could detect minute vibrations in the water and shifts in temperature, giving the Drake effective 360-degree awareness even in pitch-black conditions.
In the City of Perlah, these pearls represented the ultimate prize for the most daring "Trench-Divers," specialized hunters who descended into the Drowned Chasms to hunt the Glint-Drakes. A pearl from a fifty-foot female was worth a kingdom's ransom, valued not just for its beauty but because the nacre was naturally imbued with the Drake's magically enhanced pressure-resistance.
This made the pearls a primary component in crafting High-Tier Deep-Sea Armor, equipment essential for those who explored the ocean depths or fought aquatic threats. Armorers would cut and shape the nacre into plates, which could then be enchanted further to provide protection that was both incredibly strong and remarkably lightweight.
The pearls were graded into different tiers based on their rarity, purity, and magical properties. The most prized Occidental Pearls were considered national treasures of the Kingdom of Perlah. Their acquisition triggered nationwide celebrations, and they were typically locked in royal vaults until buyers of sufficient wealth and status could be found.
Not everyone in Perlah hunted the dangerous Glint-Drakes, of course. Most pearl harvesters worked the shallower waters near the river banks, collecting much smaller and more common pearls from ordinary mollusks. These pearls, while not possessing magical properties, were still prized for their beauty. They were made into ornamental pieces that enhanced the appearance of jewelry, clothing, and decorative objects.
These common pearls were graded according to their luster, shape, size, and surface quality. This trade formed the profitable backbone of Perlah's economy, accessible to more people and sustainable over time. The Occidental Pearls might be legendary, but it was the steady trade in ornamental pearls that has kept the kingdom prosperous.
---
Arrival at the City
All of this cultural and economic significance was evident the moment they entered the city. The main thoroughfare was absolutely packed with merchants selling their wares to passersby. Stalls lined both sides of the street, each one displaying pearls of every conceivable size, shape, and quality.
For those unfamiliar with pearls, the marketplace was a minefield of potential scams. Street vendors often sold rejected pearls, flawed specimens that had failed quality inspection by the established shops. They would be presented as bargains, opportunities for savvy buyers to get luxury goods at discount prices.
The prized pearls, the truly valuable specimens, were kept in the main shops. These established businesses occupied prominent storefronts along the primary commercial districts, their windows displaying only the finest examples of their inventory. The street vendors existed primarily for attraction purposes, drawing crowds that might then visit the legitimate shops.
But it was still a hustle, a necessary one that kept smaller businesses afloat and provided income for those who could not afford to rent proper storefronts. And occasionally, hidden among the rejected pearls, a vendor would include genuinely good specimens. This kept customers coming back, hoping to find hidden treasures that the professional inspectors had somehow missed.
The expedition's primary business was not with the city itself but with the Imperial Portal facility that would transport them to Aethelgard. The portal was located in the central district, near the royal family's palace. As they passed through the city streets toward this destination, they attracted considerable attention from both locals and tourists.
It was not every day that an escort of Dragonguard marched through city streets as if parading. The residents of Perlah recognized the significance immediately. These legendary warriors only appeared for matters of the highest importance.
The guards at the city gates had recognized the Emperor's banners from a distance and opened the gates immediately, forming up to deliver a customary salute as the expedition passed. Though technically these guards were not under direct Imperial command but rather part of an allied regional force operating within their own territory, their reverence for the legendary Dragonguard was immense.
The main Imperial garrison in Perlah was relatively modest, approximately five thousand soldiers with another ten thousand civilian auxiliary support personnel. This was a small fraction of the garrison at the portal hub they had visited previously, but then Perlah was not a primary strategic location in the same way.
---
Their Days in the City
The expedition would rest in Perlah for several days before making the final portal jump to the Imperial Capital Region. Grand Captain Commander Lex, recognizing that his charges had traveled far and might not have another opportunity to experience a major city, announced that team members would be permitted to explore during their stay.
However, true to their professional standards, the Dragonguard insisted on providing escorts. Each small group venturing into the city would be accompanied by at least two Dragonguard warriors. This was non-negotiable. They took their protective mission with utmost seriousness and would not be swayed by arguments about personal freedom or the city's safety.
August's team ventured out into the city with their assigned escorts, these massive, imposing warriors who drew stares wherever they went. The contrast was striking: young people from a frontier village, wide-eyed with wonder at the sights around them, flanked by ancient warriors who had seen empires rise and fall.
They saw pearls everywhere. In shop windows, around people's necks, sewn into clothing, incorporated into building decorations, used as currency in high-value transactions. The entire city seemed to shimmer with their iridescent glow.
The team traded some of their own wares, goods they had brought from the village, for pearls being sold in the markets. In their inexperience, they made purchases from street vendors, buying what might well have been rejected specimens. But they also had occasional good fortune, finding quality pearls that vendors had undervalued or overlooked.
Betty developed a particular eye for pearls, somehow able to distinguish quality specimens from inferior ones through methods she could not quite articulate. She guided the group's purchases, helping them acquire genuinely valuable pieces while avoiding the worst scams.
Isabel was fascinated by the jewelry designs, studying how pearls were incorporated into settings and combined with other materials. She purchased several pieces not for their inherent value but for the craftsmanship they represented, planning to share the designs with the village's own craftspeople.
Angeline found herself drawn to the smaller, more delicate pearls. She purchased a necklace for herself, a simple strand of perfectly matched white pearls that seemed to glow with subtle inner light. August bought it for her despite her protests, insisting that she deserved something beautiful.
The men, less interested in jewelry for its own sake, focused on practical items that incorporated pearl elements. Adam found a set of knife handles inlaid with pearl that provided exceptional grip even when wet. Erik purchased a bow with pearl reinforcements in the riser, which the seller claimed would improve stability and reduce vibration.
Master Ben spent considerable time in the shops that specialized in pearls with magical properties. He examined specimens with a practiced eye, occasionally purchasing those that he believed would be useful for enchanting work or potion components. The shop owners treated him with particular respect, recognizing a genuine expert when they encountered one.
Andy, Marcus, and Sibus explored the architectural aspects of the city. Sibus in particular was fascinated by how buildings incorporated pearl elements not just for decoration but for structural purposes. Certain types of nacre, when properly prepared, could be used as a building material that was both strong and beautiful.
---
Memories Made
The days passed quickly, filled with exploration and discovery. Their time in Perlah, though brief, created memories that would remain vivid for the rest of their lives. They had traveled farther than they had ever imagined possible, seen wonders that exceeded their wildest expectations.
It left them wondering about the rest of the Empire. If Perlah was this impressive, what would other cities be like? How did this kingdom, impressive as it was, compare to the heartland territories where Imperial power was even more concentrated?
Most importantly, what would the capital city of the Elms-Arkanus Empire look like? If Perlah, a regional capital of an allied kingdom, demonstrated this level of sophistication and prosperity, what would Aethelgard, the seat of Imperial power itself, be like?
They could scarcely imagine, and perhaps that was appropriate. Some things needed to be experienced rather than imagined. Descriptions could not capture the reality of standing in a place where history was made, where decisions shaped the fates of millions.
On their final evening in Perlah, the expedition gathered for a meal at a restaurant near their lodgings. The establishment was not the most expensive or prestigious in the city, but it offered excellent food and a pleasant atmosphere.
As they ate, conversation turned to their journey so far and what might lie ahead. Erik, ever enthusiastic, spoke of wanting to visit Perlah again someday, perhaps to try diving for pearls himself. The others laughed, knowing Erik's impulsive nature as a hunter would probably get him eaten by a Glint-Drake within minutes of entering the water.
August remained quieter than usual, his thoughts already turning toward their destination. The Emperor had summoned him for reasons still unknown. What would that meeting entail? What would be expected of him? How would it affect not just his own future but the future of everyone who depended on him?
Angeline, sensing his preoccupation, squeezed his hand under the table. She did not speak, did not offer empty reassurances. Her presence was reassurance enough.
---
Departure
The next morning, they gathered at the Imperial Portal facility. The structure was similar to the one they had used previously, though somewhat smaller and less heavily fortified. Perlah was an allied kingdom rather than under Imperial territory, so the security requirements were different.
The portal itself was maintained by Imperial technicians, but the surrounding facility was staffed primarily by Perlah's own forces. The arrangement reflected the delicate political balance that allowed the Empire to maintain strategic assets within allied territories without appearing to occupy them.
Grand Captain Commander Lex conducted a final equipment check, ensuring everything and everyone was ready for the transition. The portal would take them directly into the Imperial Capital Region, emerging at a facility within sight of Aethelgard itself.
"This will be our final jump," he announced to the group. "When we emerge on the other side, we will be in the heart of the Empire. Conduct yourselves accordingly. You represent not just your village but also everyone who has vouched for you."
His gaze lingered on August specifically. "The capital is unlike anywhere you have been. It is beautiful and dangerous in equal measure. Stay close to your escorts, follow instructions without question, and remember that you are guests. Honored guests, certainly, but guests nonetheless."
August nodded his understanding. The journey was ending, but in another sense, it was just beginning. Whatever awaited them in Aethelgard would determine the course of their future in ways they could not yet predict.
The portal activated, its surface shimmering with that characteristic unsettling light. One by one, they stepped through, leaving Perlah behind and moving toward their ultimate destination.
The capital awaited, and with it, the Emperor's summons.