The gates of the capital rose before them before long, banners fluttering high in the breeze. Passing through, the world widened all at once, cobblestone streets lined with stalls, bright fabrics waving overhead, voices rising in a thousand directions at once.
The smell of roasted meat, baked bread, spiced wine. The clatter of carts and the distant ringing of a smith's hammer. The laughter of children darting between vendors.
Merlin slowed without meaning to, his golden eyes tracing everything. Compared to the quiet order of the academy, the city was chaos, and yet, it pulsed with life.
Nathan spun dramatically, arms wide. "Behold! Civilization!"
Liliana groaned. "You act like you built it yourself."
"I could have!" Nathan declared. "In another life, I was definitely a king."
"More like a jester," Ethan muttered.
