[The Next Morning]
The journey resumed.
The wind carried the trace scent of pine and distant smoke, signaling that civilization was not far off, yet remained distant enough.
Richard checked the meager items Kael had allowed him. His body was in much better shape, honed by experience. He had survived the ravine, though he knew the next phase of training would test him in ways that surpassed his earlier lessons.
--
Richard followed Kael as they left the cliffs of Ebonreach behind them. The air had lost the oppressive charge of raw mana that had clung to the ravine, replaced by a breeze that bore the fragrance of distant forests and cultivated soil. The sun, now higher, bathed the hills in muted gold and cast elongated shadows across the rolling terrain.
Compared to the weeks Richard spent surviving in the suffocating ravine, the current environment prevailed as a sanctuary.
'This land, as you know,' Kael began without preamble, his voice carrying with easy authority over the morning wind, 'is called the Continent of Zogria. Its boundaries are marked by oceans in the north and south, mountains in the east, and a harsh desert in the west. Its nexus, however, is what you traverse now--fertile plains, scattered forests, and highlands carved by rivers and storms over decades.'
Richard listened, maintaining a steady pace. Kael did not pause for too long.
'Zogria is divided principally between two empires. To the west lies the Zephirion Empire. Its lands are rich, though harsh in climate. Summers stretch on with dry heat, and winters bring unforgiving cold that scours the highlands. Life there demands endurance, and the people of Zephirion grew hard-wearing through necessity.
Their cities rise from the rock itself, built of stone, towering and narrow, shaped to endure both sieges and the relentless winds that race down the ranges. Within those walls, bridges link upper tiers, and lantern braziers burn through the darker hours. Farmlands run along carved slopes in layered steps, and channels guide water through nearly every valley, turning difficult terrain into something workable.'
Kael walked over a narrow ridge, before continuing. 'The Zephirion Empire arose nearly a century ago, born from the unification of several warring duchies. Its founders, primarily influential clans, imposed strict rule over the plains they conquered, privileging loyalty and military discipline above all. A meritocracy governs its officer corps, though noble houses retain ceremonial influence. Zephirion's wealth is drawn from its mines--iron, silver, and the rare blue quartz that is highly prized across Zogria.
Their influence, however, rarely extends far into the central plains.
Richard noted the meticulous detail in Kael's words. Every syllable built a picture grander than any map could show. Mountains, rivers, cities, armies--all aligned in his mind like the threads of a grand tapestry.
'And to the east,' Kael continued, in a slightly lowered tone, 'lies the other empire, known as the Yerev Empire. Fertile lowlands dominate most of their territory, nourished by wide rivers and abundant rainfall.'
'Unlike Zephirion, their cities sprawl; sprawling capitals of marble and timber, with wide avenues and public forums. Culture and scholarship are prized over combat prowess. Even so, their army is heavily numbered and disciplined.'
'The Yerev Empire emerged nearly seven decades ago, following a long period of fragmented kingdoms. They unified through diplomacy, trade agreements, and occasionally, through war, but always with prudence. Nobles living there are not merely landowners; they are scholars, merchants, and politicians, many educated in the famed academies of the capital, Eryndor. The arts flourish under their protection, and knowledge is their strongest currency.'
Kael stopped again, and started after a while, 'Between these two empires lie independent kingdoms and duchies. Some owe allegiance to Zephirion, and some to Yerev. On the other hand, a few survive without formal alliances, navigating political currents with utmost neutrality. Falconridge, the kingdom allied to Frostpeak, your hometown, is one such territory--swearing their allegiance to Zephirion, largely due to geographic proximity and mutual benefit. Other powers, like the Duchy of Korrath or the Kingdom of Aldemire, maintain balance through trade, war, or intermarriage. This patchwork of allegiances is why even minor conflicts can escalate rapidly, and why travel across Zogria without territorial knowledge can be fatal.'
Richard's eyes took in the plains and hills in the distance. The rolling plains had villages tucked between wooded areas, smoke curling from chimneys in the early morning, while the highlands bore the scars of ancient fortresses, long since abandoned or repurposed by local lords. Kael's words gave significance to every detail--the location of rivers, the importance of mountain passes, even the history etched into every stone.
'The people of Zogria are as varied as the land itself,' Kael continued. 'In Zephirion, hardy clansmen raise flocks and grow root vegetables capable of withstanding frost. In Yerev, farmers cultivate grains and orchards; their villages are oriented around trade and academic centers. Between, in the neutral territories, nomadic groups, mercenary companies, and independent scholars travel constantly, adapting to shifting alliances, sometimes influencing politics more so than kings themselves. This is the network you must understand before you move beyond these lands.'
Richard adjusted the strap of his pack, silently noting the patience Kael expected. It was not enough to memorize maps; the nuance of the land, the people, the politics--all were essential. Every mountain range, every river bend, could conceal allies, enemies, or dangers both natural and supernatural.
Kael paused at a cliffside where the wind offered a vista of the central plains. 'We are approaching a kingdom that will serve as your next stage of observation,' he stated. 'The Valdric Kingdom, known for its knowledge, governance, and the reverence its citizens hold for learning. Every person has a role in maintaining the kingdom's reputation.'
'Valdric's origins are nearly five decades past,' Kael said, his voice conveying a note of approval. 'It commenced as a scholarly hub, a modest city-state supported by an order of well-educated men. Over time, as trade routes and academic institutions grew, it became a full kingdom. Its rulers have preserved the culture of inquiry and artistry, expanding influence through education, treaties, and selective trade agreements rather than war. Every citizen here is taught that their value lies in contribution to the collective intellect of the kingdom,' Kael finished.
The rest of the walk was quiet. No unnecessary talks and no unnecessary questions.
The silence dragged on, until Richard could see the sunlight catching the distant towers of Valdric, glinting off marble and copper roofs.
From this distance, the kingdom's layout was discernible--residences and public buildings interspersed with gardens and fountains, roads radiating outward from a central citadel that dominated the city's heart. The architecture was elegant yet functional, designed for longevity while also impressing both subjects and visitors.
Richard knew that Kael had brought him here to understand human nature, society, politics, and influence.
Richard's eyes observed the green fields and winding streets, recognizing that from this promontory, he could see both the elegance and the organization Kael had described. Merchants' banners flapped in the wind far below, and even the pattern of roads, suggesting careful planning. Watchtowers and academies punctuated the skyline, each a center of knowledge, governance, or defense.
Kael started moving again, pointing toward a winding river that flowed past the kingdom. 'Rivers are vital in Zogria, not just for sustenance, but for trade and politics. Valdric's position along this river allowed it to flourish without reliance on external powers. Unlike Zephirion, which built roads to project military power, or Yerev, which built roads to facilitate culture and commerce, every road and bridge here was designed with longevity and civic prosperity in mind.'
He paused.
'You will enter Valdric. You will observe, learn, and adapt. This is as vital a test as any you endured in the Ravine, perhaps more so. Survival is not always a matter of skill with a blade; at times it is perception and knowledge.'
Richard inhaled deeply. Even after months of rigorous physical and magical training, Kael's words seemed weightier than any challenge in the Ravine. This test would be subtle, constant, and inescapable. Yet as his eyes traced the intricate layout of Valdric from this vantage point, he experienced an unfamiliar serenity.
Kael adjusted his cloak; a shadow of a smirk touched his face as he scanned the kingdom. 'Look closely. Every detail matters. Note the city gates, the placement of towers, the size of the citadel, even the patterns of smoke rising from workshops. You will progress by observing, by understanding; you must learn the terrain, and the people.'
Richard did not speak, as if he was letting Kael's words to settle into his consciousness.
The wind lifted his hair, and the far-off bells of Valdric rang dimly, carried by the river breeze.
Richard took a large breath, allowing the expanse of Valdric to sink in.
He was ready.
--